Lose or Loose?

We see these two words misspelled ALL the time especially on Twitter and Facebook.

Let's take a look at the correct use of these words.

Lose

Lose: is a present tense verb. It has two meanings:

i) To have lost something. You no longer know where it is:

"Don't lose your bag. Be careful where you put it."

ii) To be defeated:

"I always lose when I play tennis against my brother."

Lost

The past form of both meanings is lost.

"I lost my bag!"

"I lost another tennis match."

Loss

The noun form of both meanings is loss.

"The things I regret most about the loss of my bag, is that my phone was in it."

"I don't think I can face another loss against my brother. I'm not playing him again."

Loose

Loose is an adjective. It means the opposite of tight. When something is loose it is not fixed in place.

"My young daughter has a loose tooth. It will fall out soon."

"My diet must be working because my jeans are now loose. I should start wearing a belt."

Decide which word is needed to complete these sentences:

• 1 - Be careful you don't ___ my book.
  
  loose
  lose
  lost
  
  
• 2 - I think we are ___. We should ask someone for directions.
  
  loose
  lost
  lose
  
  
• 3 - I prefer my t-shirts to be a little ___. I don't like them too tight.
  
  loose
  lost
  lose
  
  
• 4 - My favourite soccer team ___ again yesterday.
  
  loses
  loss
  lost
  
  
• 5 - The company has been running at a ___ for a few years,
  
  lost
  loss
  lose
  
  
• 6 - There's an office in the train station where they keep all the ___ items.
  
  loose
  lost
  lose
  
  
• 7 - Take a map so you don't ___ your way.
  
  lose
  loss
  loose
  
  
• 8 - That wall doesn't look safe. All those bricks are ___.
  
  lose
  loss
  loose
  
  
• 9 - I'm always ___ my sunglasses. I should be more careful.
  
  loose
  lost
  losing
  
  
• 10 - Can I try on another pair of shoes? These are too ___.
  
  loose
  lose
  loss