More Confusing L-Words

If you’re reading this, then Valentine’s Day is over. But even as the heart-shaped chocolates are now on sale, there are still plenty of L-words to go around. In my last post, we discussed the differences between led vs. lead and lie vs. lay (and laid vs. lain). This time, we are examining a new set of commonly confused L-words, showing their distinct usages, and explaining the nuances between them.

Loose/Lose

Like with so many English words, one of the most challenging aspects of using loose is that it can be either an adjective or a verb. As an adjective, it means the opposite of tight, something that is not firmly attached or close-fitting. It can also be used more abstractly to reference things that are not close or compact in structure or otherwise not strict or exact.

Example:

Maternity clothing is loose-fitting to provide comfort, as well as to be flattering on the expectant mother.

As a verb, loose means to set free or release.

Example:

A major reason for regulation on wild animals’ trade across oceans is the fear that if loosed into the wild, they will become an invasive species.

Lose, on the other hand, is only ever used as a verb. However, the mild overlap in meaning between the lose and loose can easily trip up writers. The word is used to describe a situation where an individual fails to gain or retain something. This can be a physical item, a relationship that ends (either through a falling out or through death), or an unsecured victory in a game or conflict.

Example:

Due to a vast variety of strains and constant mutation, the attempt to develop a vaccine for the common cold is a battle we are all but guaranteed to lose.

A solid tip to remember when differentiating between loose and lose is that the former will almost always be used in its adjective form. Lose cannot be used as an adjective, so if you are caught wondering whether you should use two Os or one, check the part or grammar you are using. The adjective form of lose would be lost.

Learned/Learnt

Much like lay and lie in my last post, learned and learnt can be particularly difficult to navigate because they are separated in meaning only by particular use cases. Unlike lay and lie, however, learned and learnt are separated not by subject but by geography.

Both of these words are used both in the past and past participle tense of learn, but learned is preferred in the United States, and learnt is preferred in England and the rest of the English- speaking world. This is one of many reasons it is essential to consider your audience when writing. You need to be using conventions they will be familiar with.

Here are some examples of using these words both in the past and past participle tense in the English/British usages:

Scientists were amazed to discover that Capuchin monkeys in Brazil had learned/learnt to use primitive stone tools, and in fact, had been doing so for 3000 years.

While Johns Snow is credited as the father of epidemiology, the real lessons of the Broad Street pump were only learned/learnt many years later.

There is one case in both English and British in which only learned is proper to use. This is in the case that learned is used as an adjective to mean scholarly or knowledgeable. Learnt is never used as an adjective.

Example:

Learned men and wise men can be two entirely different groups.

Last/Latest

While these final two L-words are less similar in spelling than some of the other commonly confused words, it is the nuance in their usage that earns them a place on this. Last can be used as a verb meaning ‘to remain or sustain,’ but it is the adjective form we will be focusing on here. As an adjective, last can either mean ‘the final instance of something’ or ‘the most recent instance of something’.

Example of each:

The last test performed was to see if the new chemical increased nitrogen uptake by plants.

To understand why the YInMn blue pigment is exciting, you need to know that the last time a new blue pigment was discovered was two centuries ago.

Like last, latest also means ‘the most recent instance of something’, but the implication is slightly different. Last is used to describe events that could potentially be the final one in a series. Latest is used more for events subject to consistent change. However, though one might be more descriptive or appropriate than the other, there is rarely an occasion when switching them would be categorically wrong.

Examples:

The last iPhone update vs. the latest iPhone update

(both work about equally well)

The last trend vs. the latest trend

(trends are continually changing, so latest works best)

To understand why the YInMn blue pigment is exciting, you need to know that the last time a new blue pigment was discovered was two centuries ago.

(because it’s such a rare event and not transient, last is preferable here, as seen in the previous example.)

Hopefully, you now have a slightly better understanding of these words and how to use them in your English language writing. To learn more about the proper usage of commonly confused words, contact me.