losing business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "losing business" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a company or individual is experiencing a decline in customers or sales. Example: "Due to the recent economic downturn, many local shops are losing business and struggling to stay afloat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We're losing business.

The New Yorker

We are losing business.

The New York Times

"Everybody's losing business," he said.

The New York Times

Now, Maryland's crab houses are losing business.

The Washington Post

They are already losing business because of their toxic reputations.

The New York Times

"I may be losing business, but I will be saving my son".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"We have never said the N.F.L. is a money-losing business.

The New York Times

Pouring money acquired elsewhere into a money-losing business is a less appealing proposition.

The Washington Post

But it doesn't make sense to put more resources into the money-losing business".

The Guardian - Tech

Many, like Peapod, have been blowing through cash to support a money-losing business model.

The New York Times

So Microsoft just bought a hip, but money-losing business.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "losing business", specify the cause if possible. For example, "The company is losing business due to increased competition" provides more context.

Common error

Don't just state that a company is "losing business". Quantify the loss or specify which aspect of the business is declining (e.g., "losing market share", "losing key clients").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "losing business" functions primarily as a verb phrase acting as part of a clause to describe the state of a company or entity undergoing a decline in its commercial activity. As supported by Ludwig, it accurately depicts an ongoing commercial downturn.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "losing business" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a decline in a company's or individual's commercial activity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, business, and economic discussions. When using this phrase, providing specific details about the cause or the extent of the loss can improve clarity. While alternatives like "declining revenue" or "shrinking market share" may be more precise in certain situations, "losing business" offers a general yet effective way to convey a negative trend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sales decline

Shorter and more direct way to refer to falling sales numbers.

decreasing sales

Directly indicates a reduction in the volume of sales.

experiencing losses

A more general term for suffering financial setbacks.

declining revenue

Focuses specifically on the financial aspect of business loss.

revenue shortfall

Indicates that the revenue is less than what was expected or needed.

shrinking market share

Highlights the loss of competitive position in the market.

eroding customer base

Highlights the gradual reduction in the number of customers.

customer attrition

Emphasizes the loss of customers over time.

plummeting profits

Implies a drastic and sudden drop in profitability.

business downturn

Refers to a general decline in economic activity affecting the business.

FAQs

How can I use "losing business" in a sentence?

You can say, "The local store is "losing business" due to online competition", or "The restaurant started "losing business" after the negative review".

What are some alternatives to "losing business"?

Consider using phrases like "declining revenue", "decreasing sales", or "shrinking market share" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "losing business" or "lost business"?

"Losing business" describes an ongoing process, while "lost business" refers to business that has already been lost. For example, "The company is "losing business"" (ongoing), vs. "The company has "lost business" due to the pandemic" (completed action).

What are the common causes of "losing business"?

Common causes include increased competition, poor customer service, economic downturns, and shifts in consumer preferences. Identifying the root cause is crucial for developing effective strategies to prevent further "losing business".