lose

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "lose" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used as a verb to indicate an increase or decrease in amount or number, or the onset of a condition or feeling. For example, "He was afraid of losing his job if he didn't finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We lose core user after core user by not addressing simple trolling issues that they face every day".

The Guardian - Tech

You must take legal action now or you may lose the opportunity to do so due to future legal obstacles".

The Guardian - Arts

My eldest kids had a very tough time when they lost their mum and I don't want them to lose their dad.

The Guardian

States and territories will also lose access to reward payments for reducing waiting times under the national partnership agreement on improving public hospital services, saving the federal government $201m over three years.

The Guardian

What's to lose?

The New York Times

I will do everything I can [to be more consistent] but I think it's good to have the big titles and then maybe lose first round, than play in the quarter-finals [all the time].

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes it's very disappointing to lose but in general I think it's just better.

The Guardian - Sport

At present, plenty of people in the out camp reckon that if Farage is their leading voice, they will lose.

The Guardian - Opinion

His party has taken a pasting over the past five years for its participation in the coalition and looks set to lose at least half of its seats.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some assets will lose value, but others will gain value, like solar and wind power and land for biomass production".

The Guardian

Belarus will lose two-thirds of its independent press.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lose" to indicate a failure to win or maintain something, and "loose" to describe something not tightly fixed.

Common error

A common mistake is confusing "lose", which is a verb meaning to misplace or be defeated, with "loose", an adjective meaning not tight. Remember: you "lose" your keys, and your pants are "loose".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lose" is as a verb. It describes the act of ceasing to have something, whether tangible or intangible. This includes physical objects, opportunities, games, or even weight. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a verb indicating increase, decrease, or onset of a feeling.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lose" is a very common verb used to describe the act of no longer possessing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile. It appears frequently in News & Media, Sports, and Business contexts. Remember to differentiate "lose" from "loose". For alternative expressions, consider options like "misplace" or "forfeit", depending on the intended nuance. Understanding the specific context will help you choose the most appropriate word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misplace

Implies unintentionally putting something in the wrong place.

mislay

Similar to misplace, but suggests a temporary loss of an object.

forfeit

Suggests losing something as a penalty or consequence.

be defeated

Specifically refers to losing in a competition or contest.

suffer defeat

More formal way to express losing in a competition.

be deprived of

Focuses on the act of being forcibly or unfairly made to lose something.

relinquish

Implies voluntarily giving up something.

be bereft of

Suggests a loss that results in a feeling of sadness or emptiness.

be parted from

Emphasizes the separation from something that was previously possessed.

fail to win

A straightforward alternative, highlighting the failure to achieve victory.

FAQs

How to use "lose" in a sentence?

"Lose" can be used in various contexts, such as "I don't want to "lose my job"", "Did you "lose the game"?" or "She needs to "lose weight"".

What can I say instead of "lose"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "misplace", "forfeit", "be defeated", or "relinquish".

Which is correct, "lose" or "loose"?

"Lose" is a verb that means to misplace something or to not win. "Loose" is an adjective that means not tight. For example, "I might "lose" my keys" versus "My pants are "loose"".

What's the difference between "lose" and "lost"?

"Lose" is the base form of the verb. "Lost" is the past tense and past participle of "lose". For example, "I don't want to lose" versus "I lost my keys".