they were losing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were losing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where a group or individual is not winning or is experiencing a decline in success or performance. Example: "Despite their best efforts, they were losing the game as the clock ticked down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They were losing".

The New York Times - Sports

They were losing hope.

The Guardian

They were losing direction.

The New York Times - Magazine

Still, I was sorry they were losing all this work.

Yale University

Boaters said they were losing a compass.

The New York Times

But they found they were losing money.

The New Yorker

They knew they were losing the match.

The Guardian - Sport

"They were losing in the second half.

The New York Times

They felt like they were losing control.

The New York Times - Health

The book warned Germans they were losing their country.

The New York Times

They were losing 3-1 with 20 minutes left.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were losing" to clearly indicate a decline in a game, business, or any situation where progress is being diminished. Ensure that the subject "they" is well-defined in your sentence for clarity.

Common error

Ensure the pronoun "they" has a clear and unambiguous antecedent. If the context doesn't immediately identify who "they" refers to, rewrite the sentence to specify the group or individuals experiencing the loss.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were losing" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing action or state of decline or defeat. As Ludwig AI states, it describes a situation where a group or entity is not succeeding or is experiencing a downturn. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were losing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes a state of decline or defeat. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, but also in academic and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject "they" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives exist, "they were losing" provides a straightforward and effective way to communicate a situation of ongoing loss or disadvantage. Given its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, this phrase holds a strong position in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were on the verge of defeat

Emphasizes the proximity to a loss or failure, adding a sense of urgency.

they were headed for defeat

Indicates a trajectory or direction towards an eventual loss.

they were suffering a defeat

Highlights the experience of undergoing a loss or setback.

they were being defeated

Emphasizes the ongoing process of being overcome by an opponent.

they were facing defeat

Highlights the confrontation with the possibility of losing.

they were falling behind

Focuses on the action of being outpaced or disadvantaged.

they were succumbing to defeat

Suggests a yielding or giving in to the prospect of loss.

they were in decline

Shifts the focus to a gradual deterioration or weakening.

they were at a disadvantage

Points out the condition of being in an unfavorable position.

their efforts were failing

Focuses on the failure of specific actions or attempts.

FAQs

How can I use "they were losing" in a sentence?

Use "they were losing" to describe a situation where a group or entity is experiencing a decline or defeat. For example, "Despite their efforts, "they were losing" the match".

What are some alternatives to "they were losing"?

You can use alternatives like "they were falling behind", "they were being defeated", or "they were on the verge of defeat" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they was losing" instead of "they were losing"?

No, "they was losing" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""they were losing"", as "they" is a plural pronoun and requires the plural form of the verb "to be" (were).

What's the difference between "they were losing" and "they had lost"?

"They were losing" describes an ongoing process of decline or defeat, while "they had lost" indicates a completed action of having already been defeated. The former suggests a situation that could still change, whereas the latter indicates a final result.