Don’t be carried away by the sound alike, but one-syllable words, “loose,” “lose,” “loss,” and “lost,” believing that they mean the same thing. Some writers, particularly the not too meticulous ones, have buckled under the weight and almost overwhelmed by what the English purists and masters describe as the four “Ls.” Care must be taken not to confused the adjective, “loose” (lu:s), the verb “lose” (lu:z), the noun “loss” (losses) and the adjective “lost.” Indeed, they constitute the banana peels of the language that often defy the eagle eyes of the most decorated writer.
They present themselves at every turn begging to be engaged. It takes the discerning journalist or reporter to avoid mixing them up. And when there is the compelling need to use any one of them in the right context, painstakingly look it up in the dictionary. Be sure they are not being misused or misunderstood. The four “Ls,” as confusing as they appear, meant different things in the language. Just for one to exercise care and be descent without letting loose, which could impede or frustrate the message one intends to relay to the media consumers. Among the group of homophones are words that sound the same but different in context and application.
For better grasp of the vocabulary, one should not just assume, but to double check and play safe. The intonation or pitch, that is, the diction also plays a vital part for the anchors and presenters on radio and television. Public speakers are equally adviced to take note of the pitch of the adjective “loose,” pronounced “lu:s,” the verb “lose,” pronounced “lu:z,” almost similar in pronunciation with the noun “loss” (losses), and the clearer “lost” with the consonant ‘t’ heavily pronounced or stressed. Taking it one after the other, though they sound similar, they play different roles or given their individual interpretations to fit the context of usage. Never over generalise or think they can be used interchangeably. That would be wrong assumption.
Many a times, we derail from the substance, because we do not think deep enough to choose the right word. Above all, we are careless not to make the dictionary or other reference books our companions. The adjective “loose,” quoting the authoritative Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, “not or no longer tied up or attached to something else.” To be free to do whatever one likes. For instance, a loose woman or man. “Usually said of a woman: Promiscuous; tending to indulge in disreputable behaviour,” the dictionary emphasised.
One can also be on the loose, free from confinement or control. Jail breaks, for example, often witness prisoners on the loose. They get out of confinement when the opportunity presents itself; and so, we hear of prisoners escape from the custodian centres. For better understanding of the verb “lose” (losing), the reference material simply writes, “to fail to keep or obtain something, especially, because of mistake, carelessness.”
Similarly, to lose one’s cool, meaning to become upset. “To lose one’s face,” meaning, “to be humiliated or discredited.” One can also lose grip of something. “Lose one’s head,” to become angry. “Lose heart,” to become discouraged, disoriented. We can equally lose sight of something or someone. This could happen when we can no longer able to see them; our friends, acquaintances, for example. However, the big one is, people often confused “lose” with “loose.” Note it today, they mean different things, though they sound alike, as mentioned earlier. Don’t be in a hurry to draw conclusion. Carelessness constitutes a draw back to unambiguously understand the message from the encoder to the decoder. Keep the information short and simple, and when in doubt, don’t write or speak, use the synonyms for people to understand you.
The noun “loss” (losses); according to the dictionary, is the act of losing or being lost. For example, “he paid for the stupidity with loss of his driving licence.” “The loss of his hearing was severe.” The one we all painfully follow; the death of a friend or relative. One can as well, trade at a loss. Be at a loss- puzzled; uncertainty, unable to understand. The adjective, “lost-when something is missing. For instance, the lost of a child gone astray. ” lost” is also treated as past tense, past participle of “lose.” A lost cause-person, aim, ideal, etc. That which has no chance of success.
mike.echi@catholicherald.org.ng
