Lose versus loose
Which sentences are correct?
- The loser owes the winner dinner.
- The looser owes the winner dinner.
- My belt is too lose.
- My belt is too loose.
- Did you lose your money?
- Did you loose your money?
- I have no time to lose.
- I have no time to loose.
- I prefer the loser fit.
- I prefer the looser fit.
The correct sentences are A, D, E, G, and J.
Why?
The word lose [LOOZ] is a verb that means the opposite of “win.” It also means to fail to keep a possession.
The word loser [LOOZ-er] is a noun that is the person, team, or entity that does not win or that fails to keep a possession.
The words loose [LOOS] and looser [LOOS-er] are adjectives related to fit that mean the opposite of “tight” or “strict.”
As a verb, loose [LOOS] also means “release” or “set free.”
Consider these sentences:
- Don’t lose your temper at the office.
- Don’t loose your temper on the world.
See the difference?
Remember that loose rhymes with “goose” and not “choose.” The removal of an o to get lose changes the s sound to z, but the vowel sound remains the same.
That’s what trips up a lot of people. They focus on the vowel sound and end up using “loose” when they mean “lose.” Instead, focus on the consonant sound that follows. Does the word you want have an s sound or a z sound? The answer to that question will lead you to the correct term.
