losing hope

USAGE SUMMARY

"losing hope" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a person or a situation in which hope is diminishing or has been eliminated. For example: "After losing his job, he had been gradually losing hope of finding another one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We are losing hope.

The Economist

Young people are losing hope.

The New York Times

They were losing hope.

The Guardian

Some are losing hope.

The Guardian

You are losing hope.

The New York Times

"Frankly, I'm losing hope.

The New York Times - Tech

"I was losing hope".

The New York Times

"I was prematurely losing hope in her.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

I never lose hope.

The New York Times

"We never lost hope".

The New York Times - Sports

"Everyone has lost hope.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a gradual decline in hope, use "losing hope" to emphasize the process. For example, "After months of searching, he was slowly losing hope of finding a job."

Common error

Avoid using "losing hope" in constructions where the subject is unclear or unintended. Ensure the subject actively experiences the loss of hope, not passively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "losing hope" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "is losing hope", "was losing hope"). As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an ongoing process of diminishing optimism. The examples in Ludwig illustrate its use across diverse contexts, consistently denoting a decline in hopeful expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "losing hope" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes the process of diminishing optimism. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and appropriateness across various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Scientific sources. While synonyms like "despairing" or "giving up hope" exist, "losing hope" emphasizes the gradual decline in positive expectations. When using the phrase, ensure the subject's active role in experiencing the loss of hope for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fading hope

Similar to waning optimism, but can also imply a sense of delicacy or fragility.

giving up hope

Emphasizes the action of ceasing to hope, suggesting a conscious decision to abandon optimism.

becoming hopeless

Describes the process of transitioning into a state of hopelessness.

despairing

Focuses on the state of being without hope, often implying a more profound sense of sadness.

succumbing to despair

Highlights the yielding to a state of hopelessness, often after a struggle.

giving way to pessimism

Emphasizes the shift from a hopeful outlook to a negative one.

waning optimism

Refers to a gradual decline in positive expectations, often due to unfavorable circumstances.

losing faith

Suggests a decline in belief or trust, not just in a positive outcome but in something more fundamental.

seeing no light at the end of the tunnel

Uses a metaphor to convey the feeling of being trapped in a difficult situation without any prospect of improvement.

at the end of one's rope

Suggests reaching the limit of one's endurance and ability to cope with a difficult situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "losing hope" to describe a situation where someone's optimism is decreasing. For example: "They are "losing hope" that he is alive, she said."

What's a synonym for "losing hope"?

Alternatives to "losing hope" include "despairing", "giving up hope", or "fading hope", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "lost hope" instead of "losing hope"?

Both "lost hope" and "losing hope" are grammatically correct, but they describe different states. "Losing hope" indicates an ongoing process, while "lost hope" implies a completed state of hopelessness.

What's the difference between "losing hope" and "giving up"?

"Losing hope" describes a gradual decrease in optimism, while "giving up" suggests a complete abandonment of effort or belief. Giving up often follows losing hope.