While I suspect that many of the inappropriate uses of the words
lose and
loose are simple typos due to inattention, I am seeing this error repeatedly,
so here are some tips.
The word
loose most commonly functions as an adjective, a verb or an adverb. Examples are:
A
loose clasp – loose meaning ‘not securely attached or rigidly fastened’
A
loose skirt – loose meaning ‘having relative freedom of movement’
A
loose tongue – loose meaning ‘lacking in restraint’
Stay
loose – loose meaning ‘being flexible or relaxed’
To let
loose – loose meaning ‘to free from restraint’
To make
loose – loose meaning ‘to untie’
To cast
loose – loose meaning ‘to detach’
The word
lose most commonly functions as a verb. Examples are:
No time to
lose – lose meaning ‘to let slip by’
She will
lose votes – lose meaning ‘to fail to keep allegiance to’
He might
lose his temper – lose meaning ‘to fail to keep control of’
She is dieting to
lose weight – lose meaning ‘to get rid of’
Hint: If you still have trouble remembering which to use, say the word out loud. If it has a hard Z-like sound, then it’s ‘lose’, if it has a hissy S-like sound, then it’s ‘loose’.
Hope that helps!
Quoted dictionary definitions were obtained from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary and the original hint version was obtained from Paul Brian’s Common Errors in English Usage
located on the Washington State University website.
Loose vs. Lose
Thanks for the great tips!
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