serious loss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious loss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or impactful loss, whether it be emotional, financial, or otherwise. Example: "The company faced a serious loss after the unexpected market downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a serious loss.

The New Yorker

"Some more serious loss of rights".

The New Yorker

This was a serious loss of income.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That would be a serious loss.

The New York Times

It's a question of some serious loss".

The New York Times

For the Leprosy Mission, her death represented a "serious loss".

The Economist

"It would be a very serious loss to the nation should it leave the country".

The New York Times - Arts

But to others, Mr. Boyle's departure and the dispute that occasioned it represent an serious loss.

The New York Times

All she achieved was a serious loss of credibility," said another.

The Guardian

Moreover, Mr. Callaghan has just suffered a serious loss among his moderate supporters in the Cabinet.

The New Yorker

They suffered serious loss and humiliation in their war with the British, the Boer War.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serious loss", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being lost and why it is significant. Provide specific details to emphasize the impact of the loss.

Common error

Avoid using "serious loss" when the context implies a minor inconvenience or a trivial matter. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious loss" functions as a noun phrase, where "serious" modifies the noun "loss". It indicates a significant deprivation or detriment. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

35%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious loss" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant deprivation or detriment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely applicable across various writing contexts. While alternatives like "significant setback" or "grave detriment" exist, "serious loss" maintains a neutral yet impactful tone. Its frequent appearance in News & Media and Science reflects its utility in formal discourse, indicating events or situations with substantial negative consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave detriment

Conveys a sense of severe and lasting harm resulting from the loss.

major deprivation

Emphasizes the lack of something essential due to the loss.

significant setback

Focuses on the impact of the loss as a hindrance to progress.

substantial impairment

Focuses on the reduction in function or value caused by the loss.

grievous harm

Emphasizes the pain and suffering caused by the loss.

considerable disadvantage

Highlights the detrimental effect of the loss on one's position or standing.

profound disadvantage

Highlights the deeply negative impact of the loss on one's position.

critical deficiency

Highlights the lack of something crucial that has been lost.

severe forfeiture

Emphasizes the act of losing something important, often due to a rule or penalty.

terrible waste

Focuses on the loss as something that should not have happened or was avoidable.

FAQs

How can I use "serious loss" in a sentence?

You can use "serious loss" to describe a significant deprivation or detriment. For example: "The company suffered a "serious loss" after the market downturn."

What are some alternatives to saying "serious loss"?

Alternatives to "serious loss" include "significant setback", "major deprivation", or "grave detriment", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "serious loss" in formal writing?

Yes, "serious loss" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing significant negative impacts in business, academic, or news contexts.

What kind of loss is described by the expression "serious loss"?

The expression "serious loss" can describe financial, emotional, personal or material losses or negative impacts as well as other types of deprivation, as long as the impact is meaningful.