Past Tense of “lose”
The past simple of “lose” is “lost” and the past participle is “lost”. Below are the pronunciation, three example sentences, the mistake learners make most often, and a short drill to check yourself.
Forms of “lose”
lose – lost – lost
no longer have; be defeated
- Base form
- lose/luːz/
- Past simple
- lost/lɔːst/
- Past participle
- lost/lɔːst/
- -ing form
- losing
- He / she / it
- loses
Pronunciation (US)
Quick practice
5 questions. Type the missing form.
Example sentences
Three everyday sentences that show how the forms are used.
Past simple
I lost my keys again.
Past participle
We have lost two games this season.
Past simple
She lost her job last year.
The most common mistake
Wrong
I loosed my phone.
Correct
I lost my phone.
“Lose” is irregular: lose – lost – lost. “Loose” (not tight) is an adjective.
Verbs with the same pattern
Past = participle. Learn these together.