LOSE AND LOOSE

The words lose and loose are often confused. It is important to understand the difference between these two words because spell checkers will probably not detect the incorrect use of them. This short article explains how lose and loose should be used.  

Lose

The word lose (past tense lost) is a verb and cannot function as any other part of speech. It has various meanings such as to lose one’s phone, to lose the game, to lose an argument, to lose face (lose respect), to lose the plot (to become incapable of dealing with a situation). Another meaning is in the sentence, When you are challenged, it is important to remain calm and not to lose your temper. In the past tense, the word is used in such sentences as I lost my phone on the train yesterday, or in the future tense as If you don’t play any better in the second half you will lose the game.

It is also worth pointing out that the word lost, as well as being the past tense of lose can function as an adjective such as I contacted the lost property department to ask if anyone had handed my phone in and This battle is a lost cause.

Loose

The word loose can function as an adjective such as in a loose screw, loose change or a loose horse. It can also be used as an adverb such as There is a dog running loose in the road. This word can also function as verb as in He was loosed from the shackles that had bound him for years. An alternative word to loose as a verb is loosen; for example, In hot weather, it is a good idea to loosen your collar. Although the word loose can be used as a noun, this a rare and it is more common to use looseness such as The looseness of a person’s shoelaces can be dangerous.

LOSER AND LOOSER

These two words can be confused.

Loser can only function as a noun as in Whoever fails to win the contest is the loser and If you give up this job, you will be the loser.

The word looser is a comparative form of the adjective loose, as in the sentence Now that your collar is looser, you will not feel so uncomfortable.

 
The Ultimate Proofreader is the UK's market leader in dissertation and thesis proofreading services.