113. Lose and Loose

Lose and loose look quite similar, but they are actually very different.

Lose is a verb. Lose rhymes with shoes.
Please don’t lose the money I gave you.
I hope we don’t lose our last game.

Loose is an adjective that describes a noun. Loose rhymes with goose.
My little brother has a loose tooth. .
May I have your loose change for the vending machine?

Loose (rhymes with goose) can also work as an adverb.
Shut the gate so the chickens don’t get loose. (loose modifies the verb get)
The dogs can run loose in our fenced yard. (loose tells how the dogs run)

Here is a tip to help keep these two words straight:
Lose is a verb. It has only one o. When you lose an o, you get the verb lose. Remember, you can lose your shoes.
Loose is a describer – either an adjective modifying a noun or an adverb modifying the action of a verb. Tell yourself the goose runs loose.

  • It’s your turn. Write a sentence with lose . Make sure the word shows action. Now write a sentence with loose. This time, the word should modify a noun or a verb. Were you able to keep the two words straight in your head? Good for you!