LOSS, LOSE, LOST, LOOSE

English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)

LOSS, LOSE, LOST, LOOSE

Loss is a noun and should be used only as a noun:
May we not record any loss in what is left of the year.

Lose is a present tense verb and should not be mistaken for its past form, lost.
I won’t lose you all by God’s grace.
He did not lose anything.

Lost is the past tense and past participle of lose:
He lost his key yesterday.
If I have God, I’ve not lost anything.

Loose could be an adjective and would mean not tightly fixed:
She’s got some loose teeth.
As a verb, it means to be set free or to fire:
The hounds have been loosed.
He loosed off a shot at the vehicle.

Now, put yourself to the test
LOSS, LOSE, LOST or LOOSE?

1. She felt a terrible sense of __
2. Why do you __ things always?
3. He didn’t __ his key yesterday.
4. The beams had come __.
5. She broke __and crossed to the other side of the road.
   GAB