went bankrupt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'went bankrupt' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a person or business has failed financially and is unable to pay their debts. For example: After years of financial struggle, the company went bankrupt and had to close its doors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We almost went bankrupt twice.

Forbes

His businesses went bankrupt.

The New York Times

Campbell went bankrupt.

The New York Times - Sports

His company went bankrupt.

The New York Times

The festival went bankrupt.

The New York Times - Arts

Boeing nearly went bankrupt.

The New Yorker

Businessmen went bankrupt.

The Economist

In 1628, he went bankrupt.

The New Yorker

Remarkably few businesses went bankrupt.

The Economist

In 1896 it went bankrupt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The fund soon went bankrupt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "went bankrupt", clarify the context by specifying who or what went bankrupt (e.g., "the company went bankrupt", "he went bankrupt"). This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "went bankrupt" if the person or entity is experiencing temporary financial difficulties but hasn't legally declared bankruptcy. Use phrases like "faced financial challenges" or "struggled financially" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went bankrupt" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the state of being bankrupt. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It's used to describe the financial status of a person or entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "went bankrupt" is a common and correct way to describe the state of financial failure, indicating that a person or entity is unable to pay their debts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, primarily in news and media. While there are more formal alternatives like "declared bankruptcy", "went bankrupt" is generally acceptable in most contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who or what "went bankrupt". Avoid using it loosely for temporary financial struggles. It's a direct and effective way to communicate a specific financial situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declared bankruptcy

Uses a more formal term, 'declared', to indicate the legal action of filing for bankruptcy.

became insolvent

Replaces "bankrupt" with "insolvent", emphasizing the inability to pay debts.

filed for bankruptcy protection

Specifies that the bankruptcy filing is for legal protection from creditors.

suffered financial collapse

Emphasizes the severity of the financial failure, suggesting a sudden and significant downturn.

faced bankruptcy

Focuses on the situation where bankruptcy was imminent or unavoidable.

went broke

Uses a more informal term, 'broke', to indicate a lack of funds.

became defunct

Indicates that the business ceased to exist as a result of financial failure.

was forced into liquidation

Highlights the legal process of selling assets to pay off debts.

ceased trading

Focuses on the fact that the business stopped operating due to financial issues.

collapsed financially

Emphasizes the financial aspect of the failure.

FAQs

What does it mean when a company "went bankrupt"?

When a company "went bankrupt", it means it was unable to pay its debts and filed for legal protection, usually resulting in liquidation or reorganization.

What can I say instead of "went bankrupt"?

You can use alternatives like "declared bankruptcy", "became insolvent", or "filed for bankruptcy protection" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "went bankrupt" and "went broke"?

"Went bankrupt" usually implies a legal process of declaring bankruptcy, while "went broke" is a more informal way of saying someone has run out of money.

Is it correct to say "went bankrupt" instead of "declared bankruptcy"?

Yes, "went bankrupt" is a commonly used and understood phrase. "Declared bankruptcy" is more formal, but both are correct.