What is the Difference Between Lose and Loss?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between "lose" and "loss" lies in their grammatical functions and meanings. Here are the key differences:
- Lose: This is a verb that means "to come to be without something" or "to fail to retain". It is used to describe the action of losing something or someone. For example: "Did you lose your keys?" or "The company suffered a significant financial loss last quarter."
- Loss: This is a noun that refers to "something that is lost" or "a detriment". It represents the fact or process of losing something or someone. For example: "The loss of all the arcade tickets made my baby cousin cry uncontrollably" or "My wife's engagement ring was the greatest loss from the robbery".
A good way to remember the difference is that "lose" ends in a vowel because it's an action. It is also important to note that "lose" and "lost" are not interchangeable.
Comparative Table: Lose vs Loss
Here is a table that highlights the differences between "lose" and "loss":
| Aspect | Lose | Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Verb or Noun | Lose is a verb, meaning "to come to be without something" or "to cause or cease one's possession due to unknown circumstances". | Loss is a noun, meaning "something which is lost" or an instance of losing. |
| Past Tense | Lost | - |
| Examples | - I lost my keys yesterday. (as a verb). - The company experienced a loss of market share. (as a noun). |
- The company lost 10% of its market share. (as a verb). - The accident led to the loss of her eyesight. (as a noun). |
In summary, "lose" is a verb that means to come to be without something or to fail, while "loss" is a noun that refers to something that has been lost or an instance of losing. They are not interchangeable, and their usage depends on the context of the sentence.
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