we were losing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were losing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a team or individual is not winning or is in a disadvantageous position, often in a competitive context. Example: "Despite our best efforts, we were losing the game by the second half."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Plus, we were losing".

The New York Times - Sports

We were losing money.

Harvard Business Review

"We were losing money," he said.

The New York Times

"We were losing anyway," Ms. Bishop said.

The New York Times

"We were losing the battle".

The Guardian

"Frankly, we were losing," he said.

The New York Times

"We were losing substantial amounts of money.

The New York Times

"When we were losing, everybody started worrying".

The New York Times - Sports

We were losing more elephants than were being born.

Yale University

He told me we were losing the war.

The New York Times

But every month we were losing so much money.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were losing", ensure the context clearly indicates what was being lost, whether it's a game, money, or something abstract like hope or momentum.

Common error

Avoid using "we were losing" without specifying the object or area of loss. Ensure it's clear what the subject was losing to prevent ambiguity and ensure understanding. For instance, saying "we were losing ground" is more descriptive than just "we were losing."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were losing" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically in the past continuous tense. It describes an action (losing) that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI examples show its prevalent usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were losing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verbal phrase that describes an ongoing state of loss in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media. When using "we were losing", it's essential to clearly specify what was being lost to avoid ambiguity. While the phrase itself maintains a neutral register, its impact varies with context, from describing financial downturns to competitive defeats. Consider using alternatives such as "we were falling behind" or "we were at a disadvantage" to add nuance or formality. Remember to avoid omitting the object of loss to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were falling behind

This alternative indicates a gradual decline or lagging in progress compared to others.

we were being defeated

This alternative emphasizes a state of being overcome or conquered in a direct confrontation.

we were in decline

This suggests a general downturn or deterioration in condition or status.

we were at a disadvantage

This emphasizes a lack of favorable circumstances or conditions.

we were failing

This indicates a lack of success or an inability to meet expectations or goals.

we were not succeeding

This is a more formal way of saying that efforts were not producing the desired results.

we were on the losing side

This highlights that the outcome was unfavorable and part of a larger conflict or competition.

we were on a downward spiral

Implies a worsening situation that is increasingly difficult to control.

we were getting worse

Suggests a simple, direct decline in condition or quality.

our chances were diminishing

This emphasizes the reduction of opportunities or likelihood of success.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were losing" to describe a situation where you or a group were failing to win or maintain something, such as in "We were losing the game despite our best efforts", or "We were losing money due to the economic downturn".

What's a more formal alternative to "we were losing"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "we were experiencing a decline", "we were at a disadvantage", or "we were failing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "we were lose" instead of "we were losing"?

No, "we were lose" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "we were losing", where "losing" is the present participle of the verb "lose" and follows the auxiliary verb "were" to form the past continuous tense.

What is the difference between "we were losing" and "we lost"?

"We were losing" indicates an ongoing process of losing at some point in the past, while "we lost" simply states that the loss occurred and was completed. For instance, "We were losing momentum" suggests the loss was happening over time, whereas "We lost the match" means the match concluded with a loss.