going to lose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going to lose" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a future event where someone or something is expected to experience a loss. Example: "If we don't change our strategy, we are going to lose the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They're going to lose.

The New Yorker

We're going to lose him.

The New York Times - Magazine

We're going to lose population.

The New York Times

Who's going to lose money?

Independent

The 1% are going to lose.

The New York Times

I'm going to lose this guy.

The New York Times - Arts

He knows he's going to lose.

Independent

Somebody's going to lose his job.

The New York Times

Someone is going to lose big.

The New York Times

"They are going to lose seats.

The New York Times

"You're going to lose games," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going to lose" when you want to express a strong likelihood or near certainty of a future loss or defeat. This phrase is suitable for various contexts, from sports and politics to personal situations.

Common error

Avoid using "going to lose" when discussing a past event or a hypothetical situation that did not occur. The phrase indicates a future intention or prediction, so ensure it aligns with the intended timeframe of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going to lose" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing a future prediction or expectation of defeat. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used to indicate an anticipated loss in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going to lose" is a very common and grammatically sound way to express the expectation of a future defeat or loss. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sports. While alternatives like "about to lose" or "destined to fail" exist, "going to lose" remains a versatile and widely understood choice. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the future tense and is appropriate for the level of formality required by your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about to be defeated

Emphasizes the imminence of defeat.

on the verge of losing

Highlights the proximity to a loss.

destined to fail

Suggests an inevitable failure.

certain to be defeated

Conveys a high degree of certainty about the loss.

bound to be unsuccessful

Indicates that failure is highly probable.

will likely be defeated

Uses 'likely' to express a strong possibility of losing.

expected to suffer defeat

Puts emphasis on the expectation of losing.

facing imminent defeat

Stresses that defeat is approaching rapidly.

set to be the loser

Uses a more concise phrasing indicating the person will likely lose.

doomed to defeat

Implies a grim, unavoidable loss.

FAQs

How can I use "going to lose" in a sentence?

You can use "going to lose" to express a prediction or expectation of defeat. For example, "If they don't improve their strategy, they are "going to lose" the competition."

What are some alternatives to "going to lose"?

Alternatives include "about to lose", "on the verge of losing", or "destined to fail" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "gonna lose" instead of "going to lose"?

"Gonna lose" is an informal contraction of "going to lose". It is acceptable in casual conversation and informal writing, but "going to lose" is preferred in formal contexts.

What is the difference between "going to lose" and "about to lose"?

"Going to lose" indicates a future expectation of losing, whereas "about to lose" suggests that the loss is imminent or very close to happening.