Hello everyone and welcome to Sparkle English!
Today’s mini-lesson is on the difference between lose and loose.
It is very common for English language learners
and even Native English speakers to get confused how to spell these words.
First, let’s review how to pronounce each of these words.
LOSE is pronounced L-OO-Z, with a “z” sound. It rhymes with whose and news.
LOOSE is pronounced L-OO-S with an “s” sound. It rhymes with moose and goose.
Now let’s learn the difference in meaning between these two words.
Lose, spelled L-O-S-E, is a verb that has several different meanings.
To lose something means you no longer have something that you once did.
Here are some examples: I always lose my glasses.
I need to lose weight. I don't want to lose you.
To lose can also mean to fail or not win at something.
Examples: Did Real Madrid lose the championship game?
We're going to lose! I never lose at cards. I always win!
Loose, spelled L-O-O-S-E, is an adjective that is the opposite
of tight. It describes things that are not tightly or securely fitted.
Here are some examples: My jeans are loose in the waist.
This screw is loose. Can I use your screwdriver? The horse is running loose around town.
Now let’s look at some mixed examples using both lose and loose.
Did you lose weight? Your pants are loose!
The clasp on my bracelet is loose, and I'm worried I might lose it.
Did Carl lose his dog? I saw a brown dog running loose around the neighborhood.
Now let's practice together. Are these sentences correct or incorrect?
1. I want to “lose” weight before Christmas. 2. Did you “loose” your pencil?
3. Is my shirt too “lose”? 4. I never “lose” a game.
Take a moment to write down or think about your answers for these sentences.
Now let’s check your answers!
Numbers one and four are correct. Numbers two and three are incorrect.
Number two should be “Did you lose your pencil” with one O in lose
because in this sentence, lose is a verb. Number three should be loose spelled with
double O because we are using the adjective loose to describe a baggy shirt.
How did you do? Let me know in the comments section how many you got correct out of four.
Now it's your turn to practice on your own! Write one sentence with "lose" and one
sentence with "loose" in the comments section! Make sure to like this video and subscribe to
Sparkle English for more videos on how to improve your level of English. Thanks for watching!