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:
* The shoes were so big that they were ___________ on the little boy's feet.
* I turned a corner to __________ the guy who was tailing me.
* Our football team hasn't done so well this year. We are sure to __________ every game. . After the bad weather,
the penned up dogs were set ____________ to run outside again.
* The pet store manager was told to __________ the dog's collar as it was much too tight around his neck.
* Those rules are much too ______________! You need to tighten up security around here.
* Her husband had to work on her necklace for over an hour before he could ________________ the hung clasp.
* She wanted her hair fixed in soft ___________ curls.
* It is a terrible thing to _________ one's self respect.
* You will _______________ out if you don't get there before the sale ends. 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.
AFFECT ... EFFECT ...
Two very confusing words often misused. Cause and effect, sound effects, weather that affects your
health, an affected tone of voice … a spelling nightmare.
Let's look at basic definitions and parts of speech.
AFFECT – verb – to act upon, to change or to cause a change
AFFECTED – adjective – influenced by an outside force
EFFECT – noun – result; consequence
(Note: there is one exception to this rule. When effect is used to indicate a scientific "cause and effect"
instance, then it may be used as a verb. An example is: Do you know the name of the doctor who effected
a cure for rabies?)
Although the definitions are certainly beneficial in knowing which spelling of similar-sounding words to
use, it is the part of speech that gives us the best clue. Here are examples:
1. She knew the _________ of the weather would impact the arthritis in her knee negatively.
Two clauses are seen here: She (subject) knew (verb) and _________ (subject) would impact (verb)
A noun must go in the blank to act as the subject. Therefore, the only spelling choice available to us is
EFFECT. She knew the EFFECT of the weather would impact the arthritis in her knee.
2. The weather always _____________ the arthritis in her knee.
One clause: weather (subject) _____________ (verb)
The verb form is spelled AFFECT. Past tense becomes AFFECTED.
The weather always AFFECTED the arthritis in her knee.
3. The _________ knee responded negatively to the damp weather due to its arthritic condition.
One clause: knee (subject) responded (verb)
The blank before the noun must be filled by an adjective.
Therefore, the spelling must be AFFECTED.
The AFFECTED knee responded negatively to the damp weather due to its arthritic condition.
EXERCISES:
The applause showed how deeply the presentation had _____________ the audience.
His attitude was _________________ by his upbringing.
What ____________ do you think the news will have on her?
No matter what he does, it will have no _____________ on me.
No matter what he does, it will not __________________ me.
What do you think the _______ of the decision will be?
How did her son's departure _________________ Mrs. Sanago?
How was the team _______________ by the loss of their coach?
I was impressed by the _______________ of Churchill's words on Britain during that time.
Do you know what ____________ that medicine will have on you?
Two words often confused are farther and further. Is it farther down the road or further? Do you have to read further
in the book or farther? Do you further your education? Yes! Let's take a look at the meanings for these two words.
FARTHER denotes physical advancement in distance.
FURTHER denotes advancement to greater degree, as in time.
The correct answers to the above examples follow:
It is farther down the road. (For distance physically traveled.)
You read further in the book. (To a greater degree than where you are now.)
You further your education. (To a greater degree than what you have now.)
How much __________ do you plan to drive tonight?
I've reached the end of my rope with this dog chewing up the carpet. I just can't go any _____________.
Do you have any _______________ plans for adding on to the building?
That's a lot _____________ than I want to carry this machine and tripod!
The _____________ that I travel down this road, the ____________ behind schedule I get.
How much ___________ do you intend to take this legal matter?
I want to ___________ my career by taking some management courses.
It's not that much ____________ to the gas station.
How much ____________ do I have to read in this text?
How much __________ do I have to run, Coach?