lost a game

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost a game" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the outcome of a game in which one team or player did not win. Example: The team lost the basketball game by a narrow margin of three points.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We lost a game.

The New York Times

No one has lost a game yet.

The New York Times

We have lost a game.

The Guardian - Sport

He's just lost a game".

The Guardian - Sport

We haven't lost a game in March.

The New York Times

Santana last lost a game June 28.

The New York Times - Sports

They have not lost a game by less than 10.

The New York Times - Sports

We lost a game we should never have lost.

The Guardian - Sport

"Since Tito Maddox got eligible, we haven't lost a game".

The New York Times - Sports

We lost a game of football on Friday evening.

The Guardian - Sport

We lost a game in overtime to France.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lost a game" to directly and clearly state that a team or individual did not win a specific game. It's suitable for news reports, casual conversations, and analytical discussions about sports and competitions.

Common error

Ensure that the verb tense matches the context. Avoid using "lose a game" when referring to a past event; use "lost a game" instead. Also, verify subject-verb agreement (e.g., "the team lost a game", not "the team lose a game").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost a game" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the completion of an event where a team or individual was defeated. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost a game" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a defeat in a competitive event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to report and discuss past losses. While generally neutral in register, ensure the tense aligns with the timeline of events. For variety, consider alternatives like "suffered a defeat" or "came up short". Avoid misusing the tense, such as saying "lose a game" when referring to a past defeat.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to win

Directly states the lack of success in achieving victory.

experienced a loss

Highlights the event of losing as an experience.

took a loss

Indicates the acceptance of a loss.

suffered a defeat

Focuses on the experience of being defeated, highlighting the negative outcome.

met defeat

Emphasizes the encounter with defeat as an event.

were the losers

Identifies the team or individual as the ones who did not win.

were defeated

Emphasizes the action of being overcome by an opponent.

were unsuccessful

Highlights the lack of success in achieving victory.

did not prevail

Suggests that the team or individual was unable to overcome the challenge.

came up short

Implies a close loss where the effort was nearly enough to win.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "lost a game"?

The phrase "lost a game" means that an individual or team has been defeated in a particular game or match.

How can I use "lost a game" in a sentence?

You can use "lost a game" to describe a past event where someone was defeated. For example, "The team lost a game yesterday after a close match."

What are some alternatives to saying "lost a game"?

Some alternatives include "suffered a defeat", "were defeated", or "came up short", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "lose a game" instead of "lost a game"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "lose a game" to talk about a general possibility or a future event (e.g., "They don't want to lose a game"). Use "lost a game" to describe a past event (e.g., "They lost a game yesterday").