This common error plagues much of our writing.
To “lose” means to misplace, to be without, the opposite of win — unable to locate. For example, “I hate it when I lose my keys.”
“Loose” means free from restraints, able to move about freely, few restrictions, not rigid.
A simple mnemonic helps. Just remember: “The moose is loose.” Or for those who prefer an avian mnemonic, “The goose is loose.” In any case, if you can spell and pronounce “moose” and “goose,” chances are you’ll remember “loose.”
Two o’s — “loose as a goose”
One o — “lose your keys”
Jose
Jose, your students are not native speakers of English, are they?
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