lost the match

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lost the match" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where a team or individual did not win a competitive game or contest. Example: "After a tough game, the team unfortunately lost the match against their rivals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MIT lost the match.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(Mr. Baker lost the match).

The New York Times

We lost the match.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was pleased nobody lost the match.

Independent

Wales lost the match to France, 9-8.

The New York Times - Sports

That's why he lost the match.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was not deliberate that I lost the match".

Independent

Harkleroad lost the match, dropping the final set 6-love.

The New Yorker

We lost the match, and I couldn't communicate with anyone".

The New York Times - Sports

"I lost (the) match after being a match point up.

Independent

"We've lost the match on this hand," he responded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lost the match", ensure the context clearly indicates which match is being referred to, especially if multiple matches are being discussed. For example, specify "lost the championship match" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses. Instead of saying "losing the match yesterday", use the past tense: "lost the match yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost the match" primarily functions as a declarative statement, indicating the outcome of a competitive event. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, showing its use in reporting results across various sports and competitions. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost the match" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the outcome of a competition, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently used in news and media, wiki, and academic contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure clear context and avoid common tense errors. Consider alternatives like "were defeated in the match" or "failed to win the match" to add variety to your writing. Remember to use the past tense to correctly convey the loss, and ensure that the subject you're referring to is clearly explained for proper comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were defeated in the match

Replaces "lost" with a more formal synonym, "defeated".

were beaten in the match

Uses a more direct and forceful term, "beaten", to describe the loss.

suffered a defeat

Uses a noun phrase to describe the loss, adding emphasis to the defeat itself.

failed to win the match

Emphasizes the inability to achieve victory, rather than the act of losing.

yielded the victory

Implies conceding the win to the opponent.

were overcome in the match

Emphasizes being overpowered by the opponent during the game.

succumbed to defeat

Emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the loss.

could not secure the win

Focuses on the inability to achieve victory, implying effort was made.

the opposing team won

Shifts the focus to the winner rather than the loser.

the match slipped away

Suggests a gradual loss of control that led to the defeat.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "lost the match"?

You can use alternatives like "were defeated in the match", "suffered a defeat", or "failed to win the match" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we are lost the match"?

No, the correct phrase is "we "lost the match"". The past tense of 'lose' is 'lost'.

What does it mean to "lose a match"?

To "lose a match" means to be defeated in a competitive game or contest; it means not to win.

How is "lost the match" different from "forfeited the match"?

"Lost the match" means you played and were defeated. "Forfeited the match" means you were unable to play or continue playing, resulting in an automatic loss.