it was losing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was losing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is in the process of losing, whether it be a game, a competition, or a state of something diminishing. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team realized it was losing the match as the clock ticked down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The foundation also was told last week that it was losing its funding from the A.S.P.C.A.

The New York Times - Sports

Sun felt it was losing its early austerity, becoming pleasantly fatter and richer.

The New York Times - Food

"It was losing its charm".

Science Magazine

Oxford, based in Norwalk, Conn., has said it was losing money in its Medicare business.

The New York Times

Yet eight years after it opened, it was losing money and its doors were closed.

The Guardian - Money

The company overstated its income, concealing the fact that it was losing money, prosecutors said.

Los Angeles Times

It was losing subscribers and struggling to upgrade its aging cellular network.

The New York Times

But it was losing money.

The New Yorker

It was losing manufacturing jobs to Bulgaria.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The $220-billion hotel market was not only losing millions it was losing its customers' trust.

Forbes

It was losing what our friendship represented.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was losing" to clearly indicate an ongoing process of decline or deprivation. Ensure the context specifies what exactly was being lost, providing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was losing" when a completed action is intended; instead, opt for "it lost" to signify that the act of losing has already concluded, ensuring your sentence accurately reflects the timing of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was losing" functions as part of a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It typically expresses an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig's examples showcase it describing things such as money, subscribers, charm, or a game.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was losing" is a versatile expression used to denote an ongoing decline or deprivation in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammar rules and enjoys widespread usage. Its function typically involves a descriptive account of diminishing elements, be they tangible assets like money or intangible attributes such as influence. Its frequency in News & Media underscores its relevance in reporting on evolving situations. When writing with "it was losing", ensure that the subject and object are clear to maintain context and comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was in the process of losing

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the loss.

it was beginning to lose

Highlights the start of a decline or loss.

it was on the verge of losing

Indicates that the loss was imminent or very likely to happen soon.

it was starting to decline

Focuses on a gradual decrease in quality, quantity, or condition.

it was diminishing

Highlights the reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

it was fading away

Emphasizes a gradual disappearance or weakening.

it was failing

Indicates a lack of success or a breakdown in functionality.

it was going downhill

An informal way of saying something was deteriorating.

it was slipping away

Suggests something valuable is being lost gradually and often unnoticed.

it was forfeiting

Emphasizes the act of surrendering something, often unwillingly.

FAQs

How can I use "it was losing" in a sentence?

"It was losing" indicates an ongoing process of losing something. For example, "The company overstated its income, concealing the fact that "it was losing money"."

What are some alternatives to using "it was losing"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it was declining", "it was failing", or "it was diminishing" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "it was lose" instead of "it was losing"?

No, "it was lose" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "it was losing", which uses the present participle (losing) to indicate continuous action in the past.

What's the difference between "it was losing" and "it lost"?

"It was losing" describes an ongoing process in the past, while "it lost" describes a completed action in the past. For instance, "it was losing ground" suggests a continuous decline, whereas "it lost the game" indicates a finished event.