Homophone Errors - loose and lose

loose and lose

Loose
Opposite of tight.
For example : 
The shirt is loose for her now
because she has lost so much of weight.
The screw is loose.

lose
Means to not be in your possession any longer (it is lost) or misplaced. It could also mean not to win something.
losing moneyFor example :
She will lose her friends if she's not careful.
We will lose money if we 
believe everything she says.
She will lose the match if she's not careful.
Did you lose my books? 

loose dress / lose dress
Both are correct. 
loose dress : not tight
a dress that is flowing  
For example : 
The dress is loose.
lose dress : missing  
For example : 
Make sure you do not lose her dress. 

*lose is not to be confused with lost. 
Lost has the same meaning as lose 
but lost is used to show something 
"losing books" "books carried away"
happened in the past.
For example :
She lost the books yesterday. 
(yesterday – happened in the past).

With “will”, we have to use “lose”. She will lose.
We CANNOT say : She will lost the match (X). 
You CAN SAY : She lost the match yesterday / last week / last month / 2 years ago.  



Homophone Errors - Part 2


3) its and it's

its
cute cat kittenIs used to show possession
Something belonging to one. 
It is usually used for animals and 
objects and NOT for people.
For example :
cat long tailThe cat's tail is long.
In this example, the tail belongs to the cat. 
So we can say :
Its tail is long. 
I like that bag, especially its color. 

It's 
(with the apostrophe 's) is the short form for it is. 

It is a great day for a picnic. = It's a great day for a picnic. 

IF we use, it's tail is long then it becomes it is tail is long.  
(THIS IS WRONG. X) 

Other examples :
It's not available yet. = It is not available yet.
It's good. = It is good.


The same concept applies to the following :  


You're and Your

You're : You are.
Example : 
You're beautiful = You are beautiful.
You're welcome = You are welcome. 

Your : shows belonging.
Example : 
These are your books. (the books belong to you).
Are these your kids? (the kids belong to you?)



Whose and Who's

Whose : To find out who something belongs to.
Whose house is this? (The house belongs to …. ). 
This is the girl, whose house burnt down.
house
Who's : Who is.
Who's coming? = Who is coming. 

 


Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Homophone Errors - Part 1


Homophones are words that have the SAME pronunciation but DIFFERENT spelling and meaning. This leads to a lot of confusion and errors. Here are a few common errors.

1) Compliment and Complement

Compliment
To praise someone.
 To admire something or someone.
Example :
Thanks for the compliment.
She gave him a compliment.

Complement : Comes from the word 
'complete' and means to make 
Food, Delicious, Mealsomething whole or one unit.
Example :
1) Some fruits and vegetables will be a perfect complement to this meal.


2) They both complement each other. 
(this means they are suitable for each other. 
In other words, a perfect match)

IF YOU SAY : They both complimented each other. It would mean : They praised each other.


2) Stationary and Stationery

Stationary : Not moving or changing its position / Static
Example :
The building is stationary. 
The guard is stationary.  

Stationery
Stationery : Writing materials such as pens, pencils, erasers, diaries, notebooks, crayons and so on. 
Example :
Please fill in this Stationery Form.
I need to buy some stationery items for my class. 

 
Image: rakratchada torsap / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Answers to the Idioms Quiz

The Crossword Puzzle can be found here :  
Crossword Puzzle - Idioms 

These are the answers together with an explanation of the Idioms : 

1) Once bitten twice shy

Explanation :
Learning from our mistakes.
After having a bad experience, you won't commit the same mistake.  

2) Jack of all trades.
Explanation :
Does a lot of things but does not master anything.
To know a lot of skills but is not outstanding in any.

3) Half a loaf is better than none.
Explanation :
Getting less than what you wanted is better than getting nothing at all.
Something is better than nothing.
* The idiom is teaching us to be grateful for what we have.  

4) Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
Explanation :
We should not judge other people or criticize them as we all have weaknesses and strengths. 
Don't judge other people without looking at oneself.
*Reminds us to be careful of how we treat each other.

5) To add insult to injury.
Explanation :
To make a bad experience even more painful.

6) To bury the hatchet.
Explanation : 
Forget past quarrels / 
To forgive each other and become friends again.

7) To have cold feet.
Explanation :
Changing your mind or
losing your courage at the last minute.

8) A wolf in sheep's clothing.
Explanation : 
A person who cannot be trusted.
SheepThe person may act sweet 
and nice in front of you but talks bad about you behind your back.
A person who may look good but is actually bad.    
 
9) To smell a rat.
Explanation : 
To be suspicious of something or someone. 

10) Charity begins at home.
Explanation : 
One should take care of one's family first.
Family is the most important thing in a person's life.

11) Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Explanation : 
Don't take the risk of just relying on one thing as you might face the risk of losing everything. 
Keep your options open and have a back-up plan. 

12) To turn over a new leaf.
Explanation :
Change one's life for the better.
Learn from your mistakes and become a better person.

13) Penny wise, pound foolish.
Explanation : 
Spending money on unnecessary things.

14) To beat about the bush.
Explanation :
To not come straight to the point.
Talk in a long-winded manner.
To not tell the truth.

15) Spare the rod and spoil the child.
Explanation : 
If you pamper your children too much and do not discipline them, they will grow up spoilt.


Image: scottchan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: porbital / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: happykanppy / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: m_bartosch / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: scottchan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Crossword Puzzle - Idioms

Please complete these Idioms. 
Type in your answers inside the puzzle.
Click on "Start Over" to try the puzzle again (you will get a fresh new puzzle).



Please click HERE for the answers as well as an explanation of the Idioms.