we both lost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we both lost" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that two people experienced a loss or failure in a situation together. Example: "After the final game, we both lost our chance at the championship title."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"We both lost our Albert".

The Guardian

If I won and they lost, then we both lost.

The New York Times

If they won and we lost, then we both lost.

The New York Times

"We both lost a lot of time," Madani said.

The New York Times - Sports

We both lost parts of our minds on that 27th floor.

The Guardian - Music

We went back and forth for a while, but I had no real success in drawing him out, and eventually we both lost interest.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"We had both lost parents," said Mr. Mannetta, a police sergeant on the Upper West Side.

The New York Times

We have both lost friends, but now he is like a brother to me".

The Guardian

"We had both lost our jobs to state budget cuts," Ms. Trujillo explained.

The New York Times

Whether or not the stairs are responsible, "we have both lost weight," Ms. Poh said.

The New York Times

"We had both lost someone important to us, and I saw he was a man who needed to keep living".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, make sure the subjects are clearly defined in the context. Example: "In the final round, we both lost our footing."

Common error

Avoid using "we both lost" when referring to a group larger than two. If more than two individuals or entities experienced the loss, consider rephrasing to "we all lost" or specifying the parties involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we both lost" functions as a declarative statement expressing a shared experience of loss or defeat. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It indicates that two specific parties have experienced a negative outcome in a particular situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we both lost" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a shared experience of loss or failure. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears frequently in news articles, business contexts, and scientific publications, maintaining a neutral register. While the phrase is generally straightforward, writers should ensure clarity regarding who the "we" refers to and what was lost. Alternatives like "we both failed" or "neither of us won" can be used depending on the specific context. Always ensure to provide sufficient context to the reader in order to avoid any misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we both suffered a loss

Replaces "lost" with the more formal "suffered a loss", emphasizing the negative impact.

we both experienced failure

Substitutes "lost" with "experienced failure", highlighting the unsuccessful outcome.

we were both defeated

Uses "defeated" to convey a sense of being overcome or beaten, often in a competitive context.

we both came up short

Employs the idiomatic expression "came up short", indicating a failure to achieve a desired result.

we mutually failed

Replaces "lost" with "failed" and adds "mutually" for clarity.

both of us were unsuccessful

Uses a more descriptive phrase, replacing "we" with "both of us" and "lost" with "unsuccessful".

we both ended up losing

Adds "ended up" to emphasize the eventual negative outcome.

we shared the defeat

Highlights the shared nature of the failure, focusing on the "defeat".

we both missed the mark

Uses the idiomatic expression "missed the mark", indicating a failure to achieve a specific goal.

neither of us won

Focuses on the absence of victory, highlighting the lack of success for either party.

FAQs

What does "we both lost" mean?

The phrase "we both lost" indicates that two individuals or entities have equally experienced a defeat, setback, or failure in a shared situation. It implies a mutual negative outcome.

How can I use "we both lost" in a sentence?

Use "we both lost" to describe a situation where two parties have jointly failed. For example, "After the negotiations failed, "we both lost" significant investments" or "In the chess tournament, "we both lost" to the same opponent".

What can I say instead of "we both lost"?

You can use alternatives such as "we both failed", "we both suffered a loss", or "neither of us won" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we both lost"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used to express shared loss or failure.