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Lose vs loose

Lose = misplace or not win (rhymes with “shoes”). Loose = not tight (rhymes with “goose”).

lose

verb: to misplace, fail to win, or have less of

Test: Is it the opposite of “find” or “win”?

Don’t lose your ticket.
I want to lose weight.

loose

adjective: not tight or not fastened (rarely a verb: to release)

Test: Is it the opposite of “tight”?

These jeans are loose.
The dog got loose.

Loose has room for an extra o, just like loose clothes have extra room. Lose “lost” an o.

Test yourself

Five sentences. Apply the test above to each one before you pick.

I always _____ my keys.
One screw is _____.
We can’t afford to _____ this game.
Wear something _____ and comfortable.
He started to _____ his temper.

Pick an answer for each sentence.

Loser, not looser

Someone who loses is a “loser”. “Looser” is the comparative of loose: “this knot is looser than that one”.

Catch it automatically

The grammar checker flags common mix-ups like this one by looking at the words around them, and the sentence checker can explain any sentence you’re unsure about.

Questions people ask

Is it “loose weight” or “lose weight”?

“Lose weight.” You want to have less of it, so the verb “lose” is correct.

What’s the past tense of lose?

“Lost.” “Loosed” is the rare past tense of the verb “loose”, meaning released.

Other grammar guides

Affect vs effectAffect is usually the verb. Effect is usually the noun.Its vs it’sIt’s = it is / it has. Its = belonging to it.Your vs you’reYou’re = you are. Your = belonging to you.Their, there and they’reTheir = belonging to them. There = place / “there is”. They’re = they are.Advice vs adviseAdvice is the noun (rhymes with “nice”). Advise is the verb (rhymes with “prize”).Then vs thanThan compares things. Then tells you when.Whose vs who’sWho’s = who is / who has. Whose = belonging to whom.Principal vs principlePrinciple = a rule or belief. Principal = main, a head person, or a loan amount.Who vs whomWho does the action (he). Whom receives it (him).I.e. vs e.g.E.g. = for example (some of many). I.e. = that is (the exact thing).Farther vs furtherFarther = physical distance. Further = degree, time or “more”.Everyday vs every dayEveryday = ordinary (an adjective). Every day = each day.Complement vs complimentCompliment = praise. Complement = something that completes or suits.Into vs in toInto = movement inside or a change. In to = “in” (part of a verb) + “to”.Lay vs lieYou lay something down. You lie down yourself.Fewer vs lessFewer for countable things. Less for uncountable amounts.Accept vs exceptAccept = receive or agree to. Except = apart from.To, too and twoTo = direction or verb marker. Too = also / excessively. Two = 2.