Lose vs. loose …which is right?

Short Answer

Loose: able to be removed, not tight

Lose: to misplace something, to be deprived of something

English Grammar - Lose vs. Loose

Long Answer

Many people, while perusing the newspaper or a book, do not know the difference between lose and loose. Common mistake? We think so.

Loose is most often used as an adjective and means “not tightly attached” or “easily set free”; for example, her shoes were too big for her feet and were therefore very loose.

Lose, on the other hand, is a verb and means “to no longer have something”; for example, her shoes were too big for her feet, causing her to lose them every time she started running.

If it helps, use both words in the same sentence to help keep their meanings disparate: because her shoes were too big and loose, she was always losing them.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get a FREE QUOTE for Your Project Now!

Our expert editors and proofreaders are ready and available with affordable and personalized professional services.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
grammar syntax

Quick Tip: What Is Syntax?

Oct 08, 2011 in Grammar

Trying to figure out syntax? To begin, take a look at this sentence: It was getting dark out, and the ______ ________ ________ decided she'd…

preposition rules

English Grammar 101: Can a Sentence End in a Preposition?

Oct 15, 2011 in Grammar

A preposition is a word that creates a relationship between an object and another word within a sentence. Examples of prepositions include that, which, on,…

hyphenate

English Grammar 101: When to Hyphenate Adjectives

Oct 15, 2011 in Grammar

When to Hyphenate Adjectives Hyphenated adjectives explained! Hyphens are used to connect two words—or compounds—that modify a noun (ex: award-winning actor, brown-eyed girl). While different…

Subscribe to Our Blog

Subscribe via RSS