Losing vs. Loosing

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Bullet Bob

Bullet Bob

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I know the world of the internet hates posters who question grammar.

But why is "loosing" used so often when what is meant is "losing"? From "loosing" weight to "loosing" things.

I've visited three different types of forums this morning, guns, cars, and fountain pens, and like almost every day, I see these words misused.

I almost never see the word "losing" used, and I'm honestly just confused as to why. I have auto correct turned off on all my devices, as I'm perfectly capable of making errors all by myself.

I guess my question is why does this happen? Do auto progrms finish the word when typing? Am I in the wrong universe, or an alternative dimension?
 
I don't really care that its being used, I just want to understand why, and so often, across such a broad spectrum.

Unlike homophones such as 'peaked' being used when someone means 'piqued', 'loose' and lose' don't sound the same to me.
 
Ten or so years ago the local junkyard guy bought a new rollback and had "YOU SNOOZE YOU LOSE" painted on both sides of the hood. Problem is, the sign guy misspelled lose so it looks like this "YOU SNOOZE YOU LOOSE". After getting over the anger and embarrassment it has become a bit of a running joke, so on every truck he has bought since he makes sure he gets it lettered "YOU SNOOZE YOU LOOSE". Thank goodness he has a sense of humor...
 
The answer to the original question is ignorance which I have in abundance. Uncertain which to use the last time I typed one of them into a reply I looked it up in the big, heavy Webster I keep at hand. Spell check does not change the wrong word into what you intended.

However, for most of us, using correct spelling and grammar has two draw backs. First, spontaneity is lost making forums less fun, and second, a quicker typer will post the answer ahead of you.

By the way, the spelling error I notice the most often is using the possessive its for the contraction it’s and vise versa.
 
I disagree that (generally speaking) the whole internet hates posters who point out grammatical errors. I'll say however that if/when you respond to someone to point out a grammatical error, you certainly invite the next guy to sift through your entry to toss one at you. In this case, you have one in your penultimate sentence, it's merely a typo but I just knew there had to be one.

Someone will likely find one in mine also, simply to pay it forward. However in the (very) unlikely chance that I have managed to make no errors, I think it would be most acceptable and appropriate to deficate on my having used the word "penultimate." Because if you may be thinking that it is the most useless word in the English language... I'd say that it is very close, maybe not the most useless but perhaps right NEXT to the most useless. ;)
 
Sevens said:
I disagree that (generally speaking) the whole internet hates posters who point out grammatical errors. I'll say however that if/when you respond to someone to point out a grammatical error, you certainly invite the next guy to sift through your entry to toss one at you. In this case, you have one in your penultimate sentence, it's merely a typo but I just knew there had to be one.

Someone will likely find one in mine also, simply to pay it forward. However in the (very) unlikely chance that I have managed to make no errors, I think it would be most acceptable and appropriate to deficate on my having used the word "penultimate." Because if you may be thinking that it is the most useless word in the English language... I'd say that it is very close, maybe not the most useless but perhaps right NEXT to the most useless. ;)
Click to expand...


Uuuhhhhh.......;)
 
Sevens said:
I think it would be most acceptable and appropriate to deficate on my having used the word "penultimate." Because if you may be thinking that it is the most useless word in the English language... I'd say that it is very close, maybe not the most useless but perhaps right NEXT to the most useless. ;)
Click to expand...

Okay, I was forced to look up the definition of "penultimate", and upon doing so, realized you made a very clever pun.

And it's spelled "defecate"!

Signed,

Closet Grammar Nazi
 
Living Down Under I learnt UK spelling not US, so I get annoyed every time the spellcheck wants to substitute a "z" for an "s" in some words. Even after adding the word to the dictionary doesn't stop it sometimes.

"There" and "their", "your" and "you're", and the others listed above are bad but today's writers do not know the difference between "a" and "an" or when the ' goes before or after the "s" added onto the end of the word and many other grammatical errors.

But the worst are news items I read that either don't make sense either through repeating a phrase at both the beginning and ending of a point or through really bad spelling.

I'm turning into the grumpy old git that I always laughed at when I was younger.

Still I would rather my shooing was "loose" during a competition stage than "lose" the match!
 
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As I suspected, no real answer.

As long as I can figure out someone's intent, spelling doesn't bother me. Okay, not much. :p

I've just seen loose used so much lately when lose was meant, I had to double check the definition to see if I had had a synapse relapse, and all the loosers were right. :)
 
Bullet Bob said:
As I suspected, no real answer.

As long as I can figure out someone's intent, spelling doesn't bother me. Okay, not much. :p

I've just seen loose used so much lately when lose was meant, I had to double check the definition to see if I had had a synapse relapse, and all the loosers were right. :)
Click to expand...

I understand where you're coming from. I read a Kindle book a day, and it drives me crazy when I see 'that' used instead of 'who' in a sentence. Authors of all ages, no less.
 
I agree with the above complaints. The ignorant and the poorly educated abound...:rolleyes:

My pet peeve is spelling "knives" as "knifes" and "sheaths" as "sheaves." Sheaves are bundles of wheat or hay!

But the "lose or "loose" thing also really gets to me..
 
Last edited:
The grammar or spelling police threads pop up all the time.

It's the internet with threads and posts. Does it really matter?

It's not material for a Puttzer Prize or anything.

Just PLEASE figure out ADVISE AND ADVICE!:D:D

34c.jpg
 
Texas Star said:
I agree with the above complaints. The ignorant and the poorly educated abound...:rolleyes:

My pet peeve is spelling "knives" as "knifes" and sheaths" as "sheaves." Sheaves are bundles of wheat or hay!

But the "lose or "loose" thing also really gets to me..
Click to expand...


OMG not this again!!:eek: KNAVES!!

Search the archives!

It was a WIFES and WIVES!:eek::eek::eek::eek:
 
Homing and honing in....

These are 'almost' the same, but the first refers to correcting direction or a thought process while honing refers to sharpening or making more precise something that is existing.

I always heard 'homing in' referring to pigeons, travelers and guided missiles.

Seems that 'hone in' now covers the gamut and heck with fine differences.

I realize that language 'evolves', but wrong is wrong and should never be made right. Add to it, yes.
 
The grammatical errors do not annoy me as much as when someone begins a post or other communication with the word "So".
I squirm when someone asks , what grain bullet do I need.
What weight bullet inquiries at least shows someone knows the distinction between the use of those words.
Just my .02 cents.
Jim
 
Kiwi cop said:
Living Down Under I learnt UK spelling not US, so I get annoyed every time the spellcheck wants to substitute a "z" for an "s" in some words. Even after adding the word to the dictionary doesn't stop it sometimes.

"There" and "their", "your" and "you're", and the others listed above are bad but today's writers do not know the difference between "a" and "an" or when the ' goes before or after the "s" added onto the end of the word and many other grammatical errors.

But the worst are news items I read that either don't make sense either through repeating a phrase at both the beginning and ending of a point or through really bad spelling.

I'm turning into the grumpy old git that I always laughed at when I was younger.

Still I would rather my shooing was "loose" during a competition stage than "lose" the match!
Click to expand...

I always thought you just added a superfluous u to a word to make it UK english....

louse colour labour :-)
 
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