lost business

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost business" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to business that has been lost due to a specific set of conditions or circumstances. For example: "Due to the economic downturn, we've had to face significant lost business over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Brokers probably lost business".

The New York Times

She worries about lost business.

The New York Times

I know we have lost business.

The New York Times

Nor can they replace lost business.

The New York Times

She says she has lost business since the licensing change.

The New York Times

Molson Coors is seeking reparations for lost business.

The New York Times - Sports

Her husband, Malcolm, an insurance agent, lost business, too.

The New York Times - Sports

Hotels in Manhattan also lost business in the financial crisis.

The New York Times

Hospitals that tried to hold the line lost business.

The New York Times

Has a great corporation, howling libel, lost business?

The Guardian

She's lost business for staring at customers, but she doesn't care.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of events like natural disasters or economic downturns, use "lost business" to quantify the financial consequences for affected companies.

Common error

Avoid using "lost business" when you mean "missed opportunities". "Lost business" refers to actual clients or sales that were previously secured but are now gone. "Missed opportunities" refers to potential clients or sales that were never secured in the first place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost business" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing financial consequences or business decline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Huffington Post

5%

The New Yorker

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost business" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe the decline in revenue or customer base of a company. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is to quantify negative impacts on business. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as in formal business contexts. While semantically similar phrases like "revenue shortfall" or "decreased sales" exist, it's important to differentiate "lost business" from "missed opportunities". Ultimately, understanding the context in which "lost business" is used is key to effectively communicating its meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

business decline

Replaces "lost" with "decline", emphasizing the process of losing business rather than the state.

revenue shortfall

Focuses on the financial impact of losing business, highlighting the lack of expected income.

decreased sales

Specifically refers to a reduction in sales volume, a key component of business activity.

reduced clientele

Highlights the loss of customers as the reason for business decline.

contract losses

Focuses on losing specific agreements or projects, leading to overall business loss.

erosion of market share

Emphasizes the competitive aspect of losing business, with a focus on market position.

customer attrition

Refers to the gradual loss of customers over time, affecting overall business.

diminished trade

Uses a more formal term, "trade", to indicate a reduction in business activity.

trade reduction

Trade Reduction emphasizes the decreasing trade volume.

economic losses

Economic Losses shifts the focus to the broader financial implications beyond just the business itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "lost business" to describe a decline in revenue or clients, such as, "The company reported significant "lost business" due to the recent economic recession".

What are some alternatives to "lost business"?

Some alternatives include "revenue shortfall", "decreased sales", or "reduced clientele", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "lose business" instead of "lost business"?

"Lose business" refers to the action of losing customers or revenue, while "lost business" refers to the resulting state. For example, "The company expects to "lose business" if it doesn't adapt to changing market conditions," and "The company has experienced "lost business" after the scandal.

What's the difference between "lost business" and "missed opportunities"?

"Lost business" refers to clients or sales that were previously secured but are now gone. "Missed opportunities", on the other hand, refers to potential clients or sales that were never secured. The terms are often confused. In this sense, "missed opportunities" often refers to a strategic or marketing failure.