Loose and Lose

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm no grammar guru (LisaD can attest to this) BUT, I see soooo many people mistaking loose for lose.

So I thought I'd post this in hopes that maybe this might stick.

Loose - (here's what this REALLY means)

1. free or released from fastening or attachment: a loose end.

2. free from anything that binds or restrains; unfettered: loose cats prowling around in alleyways at night.

4. not bound together: to wear one's hair loose.

5. not put up in a package or other container: loose mushrooms.

6. available for disposal; unused; unappropriated: loose funds.

7. lacking in reticence or power of restraint: a loose tongue.

Lose - (this is the word that you SHOULD be using)

1. to come to be without (something in one's possession or care), through accident, theft, etc., so that there is little or no prospect of recovery: I'm sure I've merely misplaced my hat, not lost it.

2. to fail inadvertently to retain (something) in such a way that it cannot be immediately recovered: I just lost a dime under this sofa.

3. to suffer the deprivation of: to lose one's job; to lose one's life.

4. to be bereaved of by death: to lose a sister.

5. to fail to keep, preserve, or maintain: to lose one's balance; to lose one's figure.

6. (of a clock or watch) to run slower by: The watch loses three minutes a day.

7. to give up; forfeit the possession of: to lose a fortune at the gaming table.

8. to get rid of: to lose one's fear of the dark; to lose weight.

I hope that helps! Thank you!

[Jenn! 918]

Oh the hypocracy.

[William33 110]

Steven,

I atttribute some of this anomaly to "fumbling fingers" on the keyboard, more than incorrect usage. However, there are significant examples of misuse.

Thanks for the lesson, er... delivering it to those that need it!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Oh the hypocracy.

I offer myself up as a sacrificial, hypocritical lamb - if people will just stop saying LOOSE when they mean LOSE!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Steven,

I atttribute some of this anomaly to "fumbling fingers" on the keyboard, more than incorrect usage.

That's what I thought at first, but then I keep seeing variations - looser, loosing, looses...seriously, I believe it's an epidemic in the blogosphere.

[KarenCee 3]

It's not just on here...I see this all the time elsewhere. Incorrect usage of this word seems to be a HUGE thing everywhere. Kinda makes me nuts, but that's the teacher in me.

[sparkofcreation 0]

What always gets me is people dropping the D from their past participles (e.g. "I haven't talk to him"). At first I thought it was just my Hispanic students not hearing the D since it tends to blend into the consonant before; then I started seeing it from people I knew were native English speakers.

[natty bumppo 297]

It's not just on here...I see this all the time elsewhere. Incorrect usage of this word seems to be a HUGE thing everywhere. Kinda makes me nuts, but that's the teacher in me.

but ... haven’t our overall word usage become a lot more better than is used to was ??

[Fandango 1,439]

lolz Steven....

strangely enough, my grammar hangup only has to do with misused apostrophes when none are needed...for plurals or just odd words that end in S

two sister's

but everyone knows that already, hah....but if anyone here does it PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

lolz Steven....

strangely enough, my grammar hangup only has to do with misused apostrophes when none are needed...for plurals or just odd words that end in S

two sister's

but everyone knows that already, hah....but if anyone here does it PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP!

This (me) loosers getting the message out.

[Ephesia 0]

seriously, I believe it's an epidemic in the blogosphere.

:lol: This made me laugh so hard!

[Scott & Lai 12]

When I was in Hong Kong visiting Lai for the first time, she was worried I might get lost; as she put it, "I don't want you to get loose." I had an image of me running around shouting, "I'm FREE!"

Definitely agree about the degeneration of the language, though. Another of my peeves is the confusion of "your" and "you're"

[jundp 191]

It's not just on here...I see this all the time elsewhere. Incorrect usage of this word seems to be a HUGE thing everywhere. Kinda makes me nuts, but that's the teacher in me.

No, I'm with you. Bugs me too.

Now, would someone like to take on the:

there, their, they're

or the

your and you're?

[bora bora 1]

oooh, I agree.

What about

there, their, they're

your and you're

?

I teach English and my students do NOT get this. But it's NOT difficult.

you're = you are

they're = they are

there is like here

[one...two...tree 2,762]

When I was in Hong Kong visiting Lai for the first time, she was worried I might get lost; as she put it, "I don't want you to get loose." I had an image of me running around shouting, "I'm FREE!"