Lesson Tutor : Lose it or Loose it? There is a grammatical difference

Lose It or Loose It – There’s a Difference
by Elaine Ernst Schneider

Objective(s): By the end of this lesson the student will be able to: 

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Pre-Class Assignment: 

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Resources/Equipment/Time Required: 

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Outline:

Lose ten pounds or loose ten pounds? What is it that you really want to do? If you lose the ten pounds, then we won’t be able to find them. That would be a good thing. But if you loose the ten pounds, you set them free to roll about like a tumbleweed. Ten pounds on the loose would not be a good thing.

LOSE means to lack the possession of, to come to be without.

LOOSE means not tight.

LOOSEN means to unfasten something or make it less constraining.

Examples:

The hockey team doesn’t want to lose the game.

The girl had such a bad sunburn that she could only wear loose clothes.

Set the dog loose. Don’t tie him up again.

I am so frustrated! I always seem to lose my keys.

Loosen your hold on the bat. You are gripping it much too tightly!

Practice:

1. 1. The shoes were so big that they were ___________ on the little boy’s feet.

 

 

1. 1. I turned a corner to __________ the guy who was tailing me.

 

 

1. 1. Our football team hasn’t done so well this year. We are sure to __________ every game.

 

 

1. 1. After the bad weather, the penned up dogs were set ____________ to run outside again.

 

 

1. 1. The pet store manager was told to __________ the dog’s collar as it was much too tight around his neck.

 

 

1. 1. Those rules are much too ______________! You need to tighten up security around here.

 

 

1. 1. Her husband had to work on her necklace for over an hour before he could ________________ the hung clasp.

 

 

1. 1. She wanted her hair fixed in soft ___________ curls.

 

 

1. 1. It is a terrible thing to _________ one’s self respect.

 

 

1. You will _______________ out if you don’t get there before the sale ends.

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Answer Key:

1. loose
2. lose
3. lose
4. loose
5. loosen
6. loose
7. loosen
8. loose
9. lose
10. lose

For more lessons on words often confused, see:

Two, Too, and To – Who Knew?

Lie and Lay – Whatever! 

How Does the Effect Affect You? – Another Grammatical Riddle 

Sit or Set – Does It Matter? 

Is It Farther or Further? 

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For more Lesson Plans in the Subject: Grade 9 Grammar