grave loss

USAGE SUMMARY

"grave loss" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You might use it to describe a devastating personal or financial loss. For example, "The family suffered a grave loss when their beloved pet passed away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Needless to say, his own death is a grave loss.

The Guardian - Books

The painting has suffered a grave loss of cadmium yellow across a central area.

The New Yorker

But despite the grave loss of life, there is one ray of hope: the international community is finally paying attention to CAR and is acting rapidly.

Independent

She was twenty-three years old and weighed sixty-two kilos, the absence of any part of which would have been a grave loss.

The New Yorker

"It is with deep sorrow that President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi mourns the Egyptian victims of an abhorrent act of terrorism in Libya and offers his deepest condolences to the Egyptian people for their grave loss," the statement said.

The Guardian

It added he was very sympathetic to the widow and the children "for their grave loss" and he "still mourns deeply the death of his good friend Lance Valdez".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Pension funds for teachers, secretaries and janitors have suffered grave losses.

The New York Times

When the home mortgages anchoring the securities went bad, the banks suffered grave losses and could no longer obtain the short-term loans they needed to survive.

The New York Times - Books

"Neither the perception of Ankara engaging in overreach, nor the perception of western insensitivity to the grave losses that Turkey has already suffered, will aid in that regard at all," he wrote in a recent analysis.

The Guardian

The Seminoles' black heritage is striking in photographs and archival drawings and in the Congressional testimony of Gen. Thomas Sidney Jesup, who suffered grave losses fighting black warriors during the Florida Indian conflicts of the early 1800's.

The New York Times

Now two new open-field studies suggest climate change could cause grave losses in food production.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grave loss" when you want to emphasize the significant and serious nature of a loss, whether it is personal, financial, or abstract.

Common error

While "grave loss" is a perfectly acceptable phrase, be mindful of its formality. In very casual conversations, consider using simpler alternatives like "big loss" or "serious loss" to avoid sounding overly dramatic or out of touch.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave loss" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "grave" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "loss". Ludwig AI indicates that it's used to describe a significantly devastating loss across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave loss" is a grammatically correct and meaningful expression used to describe a serious and significant loss, whether it is personal, financial, or abstract. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers examples of its use in reputable sources. It is most frequently found in news and media, but also in scientific or formal contexts. While "grave loss" conveys a strong sense of seriousness, it's important to consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase, as simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound loss

Emphasizes the depth and significance of the loss.

devastating blow

Emphasizes the sudden and overwhelming impact of the loss.

tragic misfortune

Highlights the unfortunate and sorrowful nature of the event.

deep bereavement

Focuses specifically on the emotional suffering caused by death.

irreparable damage

Stresses the inability to fix or recover from the loss.

severe deprivation

Highlights the act of being deprived of something valuable.

serious detriment

Highlights the damaging or harmful effect of the loss.

major setback

Conveys a significant hindrance or reversal of progress.

grievous harm

Focuses on the severe damage or injury caused.

critical forfeiture

Emphasizes the act of losing something indispensable.

FAQs

How can I use "grave loss" in a sentence?

You can use "grave loss" to describe a significant and serious loss. For example, "The company suffered a "grave loss" due to the economic downturn" or "The family experienced a "grave loss" with the passing of their patriarch".

What are some synonyms for "grave loss"?

Some synonyms for "grave loss" include "profound loss", "serious loss", and "devastating blow". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "grave loss" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "grave loss" is more formal. In casual settings, consider using less formal alternatives like "big loss" or "tough break" unless you specifically want to emphasize the seriousness of the situation.

What is the difference between "grave loss" and "serious loss"?

While both phrases denote significance, "grave loss" implies a deeper level of seriousness and potential long-term consequences compared to "serious loss". "Grave" suggests a dire or critical situation.