Which of the following given sentences do you think is correct: ‘The children will lose the match’ or ‘The children will loose the match’? This is where you’ll get mixed results. While some of the students will choose the first one, the others will choose the second sentence. The main reason why students often make mistakes when it comes to these spellings is that not only are they pronounced the same, but also there’s a little difference between the spellings i.e., an extra ‘o’. So, if you want to develop a good grip over the English Language and make sure that the next time when you are using ‘lose’ and ‘loose’ in sentences of your own, then you need to go through this article. The following points will help you to understand the difference between ‘lose’ and ‘loose’.
- Table Summarising the Difference between ‘Lose’ and ‘Loose’
- The Difference between ‘Lose’ and ‘Loose’ – Meanings
- Examples of ‘Lose’ and ‘Loose’
- ‘Lose’ and ‘Loose’ – Conclusion
Table Summarising the Difference between ‘Lose’ and ‘Loose’
| Meaning | The term ‘lose’ means to misplace something or to fail to win. | The term ‘loose’ means not tight/not tied tightly or to set free. |
| Usage | It is used as a verb. | It is used as an adjective and verb. |
| Example | Please do not lose the new water bottle at school. | My new dress is quite loose. |
From the table above, we can understand that the terms ‘lose’ and ‘loose’ might be pronounced the same but do not have the same meaning, and neither can’t be used in place of another. So, students have to be extra careful while using these terms in a sentence. Let’s go through the detailed explanations of these terms below.
The Difference between ‘Lose’ and ‘Loose’ – Meanings
The easiest way to remember when to use ‘lose’ and ‘loose’ appropriately in a sentence is to know their meanings. The term ‘lost’ is the past form of the verb ‘lose’, which simply means to misplace or leave behind something. It also means to be deprived of something, for example, ‘You will lose all the fear once you do it’, but when you use the word ‘loose’ as an adjective, it means ill-fitting or not tied tightly. Additionally when used as a verb, it means to set free or let go. If the students understand the contexts in which these words are used, using these words appropriately will be a cakewalk for them.
Examples of ‘Lose’ and ‘Loose’
The examples below will be beneficial for students to understand the words ‘lose’ and ‘loose’:
Lose – If you do not want to lose the match, you have to play exceptionally well. (verb)
Loose – The loose drapes fluttered in the wind. (adjective)
‘Lose’ and ‘Loose’ – Conclusion
The detailed explanation of the difference between ‘lose’ and ‘loose’, with examples, allows students to understand their meanings and correct usage. Apart from this, BYJU’S also offers various articles on many such ‘Differences Between Two Words’ that students often get confused with.
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