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Meaning & use

for your loss

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/fə jɔː ˈlɒs/
US/fɚ jʊr ˈlɔːs/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    used to tell someone you feel sad about a death that has affected them.

    Grammar: Usually follows "sorry" and stands alone as a complete remark: I'm so sorry for your loss.

    Patterns

    • sorry for your loss
    • I'm sorry for your loss
    • my condolences for your loss

    I heard about your father — I'm so sorry for your loss.

    She hugged me and said quietly, "I'm sorry for your loss."

    Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss.

  2. phrasefixed phrase

    used more broadly to say you are sorry about something valuable that someone has lost or had taken away.

    Grammar: Can refer to money, a job, or a possession, not only a death: sorry for your loss of income.

    Patterns

    • sorry for your loss of something
    • sympathy for your loss

    I was sorry to hear about the theft; my sympathy for your loss of those paintings.

    After the company closed, many customers wrote to express regret for your loss of service.

Common combinations

sorry for your loss
I'm sorry for your loss — please let me know if you need anything.
my condolences for your loss
He offered his condolences for your loss at the funeral.
sympathy for your loss
The whole team sends its sympathy for your loss.
I'm so sorry for your loss
I'm so sorry for your loss; your mother was a wonderful person.
deepest sympathy for your loss
We want to express our deepest sympathy for your loss.

Synonyms and how they differ

my condolences
A slightly more formal phrase used to express sympathy, often in writing or at a funeral.
I'm sorry to hear that
More general and can be used for any bad news, not only a death.
my sympathies
Similar in meaning but can sound a little more distant or formal.

Word family

loss noun
The fact of losing someone or something valuable.
lose verb
To no longer have something or someone.
bereaved adjective
Having recently lost a close relative or friend through death.
condolence noun
An expression of sympathy for someone who has suffered a loss.

Commonly confused: for your loss or lose? for your loss or lost?

for your loss vs lose

"Lose" is the verb (to lose something), while "loss" is the noun (the fact of losing). Say "I'm sorry for your loss," not "I'm sorry for your lose."

for your loss vs lost

"Lost" is the past tense or adjective form. "For your loss" uses the noun; "for your lost" is not correct in this phrase.

Practice

A colleague's mother has died. What is the most natural thing to say?

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “for your loss”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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