vast loss

USAGE SUMMARY

"vast loss" is a phrase commonly used in written English.
It is often used to describe a large amount or degree of loss, such as money, resources, or life. For example: "The recent hurricane caused a vast loss of homes and lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Meanwhile, Roger North, a lawyer, bemoaned, in Cambridge, the "vast Loss of Time grown out of a pure Novelty.

The New York Times

Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Australian investigators have complained that the Indonesian authorities failed to secure the crime scene for three days, resulting in a vast loss of evidence.

The New York Times

A report commissioned by the meeting's organizers suggested that even modern building technologies and preparedness would not prevent a vast loss of life and property if a quake similar in strength to that of 1906 should hit.

The New York Times

Any Republican candidates who say they are fiscally responsible must eventually confront this issue: What was the role of big banks in the enormous recession and consequent vast loss of tax revenue since 2008?

The New York Times

Apart from this, Information on ground motion is necessary to understand the behavior of buildings in earthquakes since it can cause a vast loss of life.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

"The vast loss of potential caused by the crisis in education threatens to deprive Syria of the skills it will need to rebuild a war-torn society," said Brown, wife of U.N. envoy for education and former British prime minister Gordon Brown, in a statement.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

First, utilities have suffered vast losses in asset valuation.

The Economist

Vilified for vast losses in 2007-08, the problem now, for the pacesetters, is voluminous profits.

The Economist

Barings Bank, his employer, collapsed as a result of the vast losses Leeson had run up, just a month later.

The Guardian

But the Democrats homed in on why executives who oversaw such vast losses were so well compensated.

The New York Times

Wealthy investors across Asia are sitting on vast losses from lots of other odd financial products created during the boom.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vast loss", ensure the context clearly defines what is being lost, and the magnitude of the loss is appropriately conveyed. This strengthens the impact and clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "vast loss" to exaggerate minor setbacks. Save the phrase for situations where the scale of the loss is genuinely significant to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vast loss" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a significant degree of deprivation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to describe substantial reductions in various contexts, from time to resources and lives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vast loss" is a grammatically sound and neutrally- to formally-registered phrase used to describe significant deprivations or reductions. Ludwig AI indicates that it's often deployed to emphasize the gravity of situations such as natural disasters, economic downturns, or crises in various sectors. While appropriate for formal writing, it should be reserved for instances where the magnitude of the loss is genuinely substantial. The phrase sees frequent use in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. Related phrases include "significant depletion" and "substantial forfeiture", each offering subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant depletion

Focuses on the reduction of resources or quantity, highlighting the emptying aspect.

substantial forfeiture

Emphasizes the act of losing something, especially rights or privileges, and the considerable scale of it.

extensive diminishment

Highlights the process of becoming smaller or less, stressing the broad scope of the reduction.

considerable deprivation

Focuses on the state of lacking something important or necessary on a notable scale.

major wastage

Emphasizes the inefficient or careless use of resources, leading to significant loss.

widespread destruction

Highlights the extensive damage and ruin caused, shifting focus from loss to the impact of destruction.

heavy attrition

Emphasizes the gradual reduction or wearing away of something, particularly in contexts like military or workforce.

immense forfeiture

Focuses on surrendering something as a penalty for wrongdoing.

total annihilation

Indicates a complete and utter destruction or loss, often in catastrophic contexts.

wholesale disappearance

Highlights the complete and sudden vanishing of something, emphasizing its absence.

FAQs

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

You can use "vast loss" to describe a significant deprivation or reduction in something valuable. For instance, "The earthquake resulted in a "vast loss" of life and property."

What are some alternatives to "vast loss"?

Alternatives to "vast loss" include "significant depletion", "substantial forfeiture", or "extensive diminishment" depending on the specific context you're using it in.

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

Yes, "vast loss" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when accurately describing substantial losses in areas such as finance, resources, or lives. However, ensure the tone remains objective and factual.

What's the difference between "vast loss" and "enormous loss"?

"Vast loss" and "enormous loss" are very similar and often interchangeable. "Vast" emphasizes the wide scope or extent of the loss, while "enormous" highlights the great size or magnitude.