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B1 Verb #46 le plus courant 17 min de lecture

loses

Top 46

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces loses en 30 secondes

Explication loses in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to learn how to describe actions. 'Loses' is a word you use to talk about things that go away or that you can't find. It is used when you talk about one person, like 'he' or 'she'. For example, if your friend often cannot find his book, you say, 'He loses his book.' It is a simple way to talk about a problem. You also use it for games. If you play a game and you do not win, you 'lose'. If your brother does not win, you say, 'He loses.' At this level, focus on the spelling: L-O-S-E-S. Do not put two 'o's. Remember that 'loses' is for one person. If you talk about yourself, you say 'I lose'. If you talk about 'he', you say 'he loses'. This 's' at the end is very important in English. It shows that only one person is doing the action. Practice saying 'He loses his keys' or 'She loses the game.' These are common sentences that will help you use the word correctly in daily life. Don't worry about big meanings yet; just think about not finding things or not winning games.

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At the A2 level, you can use 'loses' in more ways. You can talk about habits and things that happen often. For example, 'My sister loses her phone every week.' This shows a regular action. You can also use it to talk about feelings or abstract things, like 'He loses his temper.' This means he gets angry very quickly. At this level, it is important to know the difference between 'loses' and 'lose'. You use 'loses' for 'he', 'she', 'it', or one name (like 'John loses'). You use 'lose' for 'I', 'you', 'we', and 'they'. You should also start to notice 'loses' in stories or on the news. If a team 'loses' a match, it is a big story. You might hear, 'The team loses again.' This level is about building your confidence with the third-person singular 's'. Make sure you don't forget it! Also, be careful with the word 'loose'. 'Loose' means something is not tight, like 'loose clothes'. 'Loses' is the action of losing. They sound different too. 'Loses' has a 'z' sound at the end. Try to listen for this 'z' sound when people speak. It will help you understand and speak better.

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At the B1 level, you are becoming an intermediate learner. You should be able to use 'loses' in many different contexts, including professional and social situations. You understand that 'loses' can mean misplacing an object, failing in a competition, or a reduction in something like value or interest. For example, 'The company loses money every year' or 'The car loses value quickly.' You are also learning idiomatic expressions. 'He loses his head' means he becomes very confused or upset. 'She loses track of time' means she forgets what time it is because she is busy. At this level, you must be very careful with grammar. Remember that in questions and negative sentences, the 's' disappears: 'Does he lose?' and 'He doesn't lose.' This is a common area for mistakes. You should also be able to distinguish 'loses' (the verb) from 'losses' (the plural noun). For instance, 'He loses the game' vs. 'The team had many losses.' Understanding these differences shows that you are moving beyond basic English. You can also use 'loses' to describe general truths or scientific facts, such as 'Water loses heat when it freezes.' This level is about precision and variety in your usage.

At the B2 level, you should use 'loses' with nuance and sophistication. You can use it to describe complex social and economic trends. For example, 'The politician loses credibility when he contradicts himself.' You understand that 'loses' can describe a loss of reputation, power, or influence. You are also comfortable with more advanced idioms and phrasal structures. 'He loses himself in his work' describes deep focus. 'The argument loses its force' means it is no longer convincing. At this level, you should be able to use 'loses' in the 'literary present' when discussing books or movies: 'In the final chapter, the hero loses everything.' You also recognize the word in more formal contexts, such as 'The substance loses its properties under high pressure.' You should be aware of synonyms like 'forfeits', 'misplaces', or 'diminishes' and know when to use them instead of 'loses' to be more precise. Your pronunciation should be clear, correctly voicing the 'z' sound at the end. You are also expected to avoid the common 'lose/loose' spelling error entirely. At B2, 'loses' is a tool for expressing subtle changes in state and status in both written and spoken English.

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At the C1 level, your use of 'loses' is near-native. You can use it to express very subtle ideas and philosophical concepts. You might say, 'The poem loses something in translation,' which is a sophisticated way to talk about the difficulty of moving ideas between languages. You understand the word's role in complex sentence structures and can use it to create specific rhetorical effects. For example, you might use 'loses' in a conditional sentence to describe a hypothetical loss of status: 'If the CEO loses the confidence of the board, the company's stock will plummet.' You are also familiar with rare or highly specific uses of the word, such as in legal or technical documents. You can discuss the nuances between 'loses' and its synonyms with ease, explaining why 'forfeits' might be better in a legal context while 'loses' is better for a personal one. Your writing is free of basic errors, and you use the word naturally in both formal and informal registers. You might also use 'loses' in creative writing to describe a character's internal decline or the fading of a memory. At this level, 'loses' is not just a verb; it's a versatile building block for expressing the complexities of human experience and the natural world.

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At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over the word 'loses' and all its implications. You can use it with total precision in any context, from high-level academic writing to casual slang. You understand the historical development of the word and how its meaning has shifted over time. You can use 'loses' to create intricate metaphors and analogies. For example, 'The sun loses its battle with the horizon' is a poetic way to describe a sunset. You are also aware of the word's use in various dialects and regional variations of English. You can use 'loses' in complex grammatical constructions without hesitation, such as in inverted sentences or within dense technical explanations. You might use it to describe the loss of energy in a quantum system or the loss of meaning in a postmodern text. At this level, you can also critique the use of the word in others' writing, identifying when a more precise or evocative alternative would be better. You have a deep understanding of the idioms and proverbs that feature 'loses' and can use them appropriately to add color and depth to your speech. For a C2 learner, 'loses' is a simple word that can be used to describe the most profound and complex aspects of reality.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

loses en 30 secondes

Loses is the third-person singular form of the verb 'lose', used with subjects like he, she, it, or singular nouns.
It commonly refers to misplacing physical objects, failing to win a competition, or a reduction in value or quality.
Grammatically, it is only used in affirmative present tense sentences; questions and negatives use the base form 'lose'.
A frequent spelling error is confusing 'loses' with 'looses', which has a completely different meaning and pronunciation.

The word loses is the third-person singular present indicative form of the verb 'lose'. In the English language, this specific form is used exclusively when the subject of the sentence is 'he', 'she', 'it', or a singular noun. Understanding 'loses' requires looking at the multifaceted nature of the base verb, which encompasses several distinct meanings ranging from physical misplacement to abstract failure. When we say someone 'loses' something, we are often describing a recurring habit, a current state, or a general truth about their behavior or circumstances.

Physical Misplacement: This refers to the act of being unable to find something because you do not know where you put it. It implies a lack of possession resulting from carelessness or accident.
Competitive Failure: In the context of sports, games, or elections, 'loses' describes the outcome where the subject does not win or finish in the first position.
Deprivation or Reduction: This usage involves the decrease of a quality, a resource, or a physical attribute, such as losing weight, losing interest, or losing value.

The word is ubiquitous in daily conversation because human experience is frequently defined by what we no longer have or what we fail to achieve. Whether it is a child who constantly loses their mittens or a professional athlete who loses a championship match, the term captures a moment of transition from possession to lack. It is important to note that 'loses' is a dynamic verb that can describe a sudden event or a gradual process. For instance, a car 'loses' value the moment it is driven off the lot, representing a continuous economic decline.

The local team often loses its focus during the final minutes of the game.

Furthermore, 'loses' is frequently employed in metaphorical senses. We talk about someone who 'loses' their temper, which doesn't mean they can't find their anger, but rather that they can no longer control it. Similarly, when a person 'loses' their mind, it suggests a descent into confusion or insanity. These idiomatic uses are essential for B1 learners to master, as they appear constantly in literature, film, and casual dialogue. The emotional weight of the word can vary significantly; losing a game is a minor disappointment, but losing a loved one (though more commonly expressed in the past tense 'lost') is a profound tragedy. In the present tense, 'loses' often describes a characteristic or a predictable outcome.

Every time she goes to the mall, she loses track of time.

In professional contexts, 'loses' is used to describe financial deficits or operational failures. A company that 'loses' money is in a state of net loss, which is a critical indicator of business health. In scientific contexts, a substance might 'lose' heat or 'lose' stability. These varied applications demonstrate that 'loses' is not just about misplacing keys; it is a fundamental verb for describing the reduction, disappearance, or failure of subjects across all domains of life. By mastering this word, you gain the ability to describe negative outcomes and changes in state with precision.

A leader who loses the trust of the people cannot govern effectively.

Finally, the frequency of 'loses' in English is bolstered by its role in proverbs and common sayings. 'He who hesitates loses' is a classic example, emphasizing the need for decisive action. In these contexts, the word serves as a warning about the consequences of inaction or poor judgment. As you progress in your English journey, you will find that 'loses' acts as a bridge between simple physical descriptions and complex philosophical observations about the nature of gain and loss in the human experience.

The sun loses its intensity as the winter solstice approaches.

When a person loses hope, they lose their most powerful motivator.

Using the word loses correctly requires a firm grasp of English subject-verb agreement. Because it is the third-person singular form, it must follow a singular subject. This might seem simple, but the complexity arises when the subject is a collective noun or an indefinite pronoun. For example, 'Everyone loses' is correct because 'everyone' is grammatically singular, even though it refers to many people. Similarly, 'The committee loses its focus' treats the group as a single entity. Mastering these nuances ensures that your writing and speaking remain grammatically sound and professional.

Subject-Verb Agreement: The word 'loses' must match with 'he', 'she', 'it', or any singular noun like 'the dog', 'my friend', or 'the company'.
Habitual Actions: Use 'loses' to describe things that happen regularly. 'He always loses his keys' implies a recurring problem.
General Truths: Use 'loses' for facts. 'An old battery loses its charge quickly' is a statement of scientific fact.

When constructing sentences with 'loses', it is helpful to categorize the context. If you are talking about a competition, the sentence usually follows the pattern: [Subject] + loses + [Object/Prepositional Phrase]. For example, 'The candidate loses the election by a narrow margin.' Here, 'loses' functions as the action verb indicating failure to win. If the context is physical misplacement, the pattern is: [Subject] + loses + [Possessive Adjective] + [Noun]. For example, 'She loses her phone at least once a week.' This structure clearly identifies who is losing what and how often.

A player who loses their cool often makes mistakes on the field.

Another important aspect of using 'loses' is its interaction with auxiliary verbs in questions and negatives. In these cases, the 's' is dropped because the auxiliary verb 'does' carries the third-person marker. For example, 'Does he lose?' or 'She does not lose.' Beginners often make the mistake of saying 'Does he loses?', which is incorrect. Remembering that 'loses' only appears in affirmative present tense statements is a key milestone in language acquisition. Furthermore, 'loses' can be followed by an infinitive in certain idiomatic expressions, such as 'He loses no time in starting the project,' meaning he starts immediately.

The fabric loses its color if it is washed in hot water.

In more advanced writing, 'loses' can be used to create dramatic irony or to emphasize a tragic flaw. Consider the sentence, 'The protagonist loses everything he worked for in a single night.' This use of the present tense (often called the 'literary present') makes the action feel immediate and impactful. It also highlights the inevitability of the loss. When describing scientific processes, 'loses' is indispensable. 'The atom loses an electron' describes a fundamental chemical change. In each of these examples, the word 'loses' provides a clear, concise way to describe the transition from having to not having.

If a business loses its competitive edge, it will eventually fail.

The moon loses none of its beauty when it is partially obscured by clouds.

To expand your vocabulary, practice replacing 'loses' with more specific verbs when appropriate, but recognize that 'loses' is often the most natural choice. For instance, while 'misplaces' is more specific for keys, 'loses' is much more common in casual speech. In the context of a game, 'is defeated' is more formal than 'loses'. However, 'loses' remains the foundational term that every learner must be comfortable with before moving on to more nuanced synonyms. By practicing 'loses' in various sentence structures, you will build the grammatical muscle memory needed for fluent communication.

He loses himself in his music every evening after work.

The word loses is a staple of everyday English, appearing in a vast array of contexts from the mundane to the momentous. If you listen to sports commentary, you will hear it constantly. Announcers might say, 'If the team loses tonight, they are out of the playoffs.' In this setting, 'loses' carries the weight of high stakes and competitive drama. It is the word that defines the boundary between success and failure in the world of athletics. Similarly, in news broadcasts, particularly those focusing on the economy, you will hear phrases like, 'The stock market loses ground amid inflation fears.' Here, 'loses' describes a downward trend in value or performance.

Sports Commentary: Used to describe a team or athlete failing to win a match or competition.
Financial News: Used to describe a decrease in stock prices, currency value, or market share.
Daily Conversations: Used to talk about misplacing items or describing someone's habits.

In the realm of entertainment, 'loses' is a frequent guest in movie titles, song lyrics, and book chapters. It often points toward a character's internal struggle or a pivotal plot point. For example, a story might revolve around a character who 'loses' their way in a literal or metaphorical sense. In music, lyrics often explore the pain of someone who 'loses' a love or 'loses' their grip on reality. These artistic uses tap into the universal human experience of loss, making the word deeply resonant with audiences. When you watch a drama, listen for the word 'loses' when characters are discussing their fears or their past failures.

The protagonist loses his inheritance due to a legal loophole.

You will also encounter 'loses' in educational and scientific settings. A teacher might explain how a plant 'loses' water through its leaves in a process called transpiration. A physics professor might discuss how a system 'loses' energy to friction. In these contexts, 'loses' is a neutral, descriptive term used to explain natural phenomena. It lacks the emotional baggage of losing a game or a friend, focusing instead on the transfer or dissipation of physical properties. This versatility—from the emotional to the technical—is what makes 'loses' such a powerful and necessary word in the English lexicon.

In the desert, the body loses fluids at an alarming rate.

In social media and online forums, 'loses' is often used in debates or comments about public figures. 'He loses all credibility when he says things like that,' is a common sentiment expressed in political or social discussions. Here, the loss is one of reputation or standing. The word is also used in the context of gaming (e-sports), where players might discuss why a certain character 'loses' against another in a specific matchup. This demonstrates how 'loses' adapts to new technologies and subcultures, remaining relevant as the ways we compete and communicate evolve.

The politician loses support every time he changes his mind.

A computer loses efficiency if its cooling system fails.

Finally, think about the workplace. You might hear a manager say, 'Our department loses time on unnecessary meetings.' This use of 'loses' highlights inefficiency and the waste of a valuable resource. It serves as a call to action to improve processes. Whether it's time, money, games, or keys, 'loses' is the word we use to identify the things that are slipping away from us. By listening for it in these different environments, you will begin to see the patterns of its use and the subtle differences in meaning that context provides.

The project loses momentum without a clear leader.

The word loses is one of the most frequently misspelled and misused words in the English language, even by native speakers. The most common error is confusing it with 'looses'. While they look similar, they have entirely different meanings and pronunciations. 'Loses' (pronounced /luːzɪz/) is a verb meaning to misplace or fail. 'Looses' (pronounced /luːsɪz/) is a verb meaning to release or set free, though it is much less common than its adjective form 'loose' (not tight). Understanding this distinction is the first step toward avoiding a very common writing mistake.

Loses vs. Looses: 'Loses' is the opposite of wins or finds. 'Looses' means to set free. Example: He loses his keys (Correct). He looses his keys (Incorrect).
Loses vs. Losses: 'Loses' is a verb (action). 'Losses' is a plural noun (thing). Example: He loses the game (Verb). The team suffered many losses (Noun).
Subject-Verb Disagreement: Using 'loses' with plural subjects. Example: They loses the game (Incorrect). They lose the game (Correct).

Another frequent mistake involves the 's' at the end. Because 'loses' ends in an 's', some learners think it is a plural noun. This leads to sentences like 'He has many loses,' when they should say 'He has many losses.' Remember: 'loses' is an action performed by one person (he, she, or it). If you are talking about the things that were lost, you must use the noun 'loss' or its plural 'losses'. This distinction between parts of speech is vital for clear communication, especially in academic or professional writing where precision is highly valued.

Incorrect: The athlete looses the race because of a slow start.

Pronunciation also leads to mistakes. Some learners pronounce 'loses' with a sharp 's' sound at the end, making it sound like 'luces'. However, the 's' in 'loses' is voiced, meaning it sounds like a 'z'. If you pronounce it with an 's' sound, people might think you are saying 'loose is' or another word entirely. Practicing the /z/ sound at the end of 'loses' will make your English sound much more natural. Additionally, be careful with the double 'o'. Many people want to write 'looses' because the vowel sound is long, but 'loses' only has one 'o'. It is an irregular spelling that just needs to be memorized.

Incorrect: My brother lose his phone every day.

In the context of negative sentences, a common error is keeping the 's' when using 'does not'. For example, 'He doesn't loses' is a very common mistake for B1 learners. The rule is: once you use 'does', the main verb must return to its base form. So, 'He doesn't lose' is the correct form. This rule applies to questions as well: 'Does she lose?' not 'Does she loses?'. Mastering this 'do-support' rule will eliminate a large percentage of grammatical errors in your speech. It requires constant vigilance until it becomes a habit.

Correct: She loses her patience when people are late.

Correct: He loses interest in hobbies very quickly.

Finally, be wary of using 'loses' when you mean 'misses'. While they can both involve 'not having' something, they are used differently. You 'lose' your keys (you don't know where they are), but you 'miss' the bus (you were too late to catch it). You 'lose' a game (you were defeated), but you 'miss' a chance (you didn't take the opportunity). Confusing these two verbs can lead to sentences that sound very strange to native speakers. By paying attention to these common pitfalls, you can use 'loses' with confidence and accuracy in any situation.

Incorrect: He loses the train every morning.

While loses is a versatile and common word, there are many synonyms and alternatives that can provide more specific meaning depending on the context. Choosing the right word can make your English sound more sophisticated and precise. For example, if you are talking about misplacing an object, 'misplaces' is a direct and often more accurate alternative. If you are talking about a competition, 'is defeated' or 'fails' might be more appropriate. Understanding these alternatives allows you to tailor your language to the specific situation you are describing.

Misplaces: Specifically used for objects. 'He misplaces his glasses' implies he put them somewhere and forgot where.
Forfeits: Used when someone loses something as a penalty or by choice. 'He forfeits his right to a trial.'
Sheds: Used for natural loss, like leaves or weight. 'The tree sheds its leaves' or 'He sheds pounds on his new diet.'

In the context of competitive sports, 'loses' is the standard term, but you might also hear 'drops'. For instance, 'The team drops the game to their rivals.' This is slightly more informal and often used in sports journalism. If the loss is very one-sided, you might say the team 'gets crushed' or 'is blown out', though these are very informal slang terms. On the other hand, if a person 'loses' a job, you might use 'is terminated' or 'is laid off' for a more formal or professional tone. Each of these alternatives carries a different nuance that 'loses' lacks.

The company forfeits its deposit because it failed to complete the work on time.

When describing the loss of a quality or abstract concept, words like 'diminishes', 'fades', or 'erodes' can be very effective. 'His influence loses strength' could be rewritten as 'His influence wanes' or 'His influence erodes.' These verbs suggest a gradual, perhaps inevitable, decline. Similarly, 'The color loses its brightness' could be 'The color fades.' Using these more descriptive verbs can help you paint a clearer picture in the reader's mind. It moves your English from basic communication to expressive storytelling. However, 'loses' remains the most reliable 'all-purpose' verb for these situations.

As the sun sets, the sky loses its vibrant blue and turns to orange.

For the loss of life or a person, 'loses' is often replaced by 'passes away' or 'is bereaved of' in very formal or sensitive contexts. In daily life, we might say someone 'loses' a relative, but we often use the past tense 'lost' because the event has already happened. In the present tense, 'loses' might be used in a general sense: 'A person who loses a spouse needs a lot of support.' Here, 'loses' describes a general situation rather than a specific event. Understanding the emotional weight of these alternatives is a key part of cultural fluency in English.

The athlete surrenders his title after a disappointing performance.

The car depreciates in value every year.

In summary, while 'loses' is a fundamental verb that you will use thousands of times, being aware of its 'neighbors' in the dictionary will help you express yourself more clearly. Whether you are 'misplacing' your keys, 'forfeiting' a match, or 'shedding' old habits, there is often a word that fits the situation just a little bit better than 'loses'. By learning these alternatives, you not only improve your vocabulary but also your ability to understand the subtle meanings in the English you hear and read every day.

The city loses its charm when it becomes too crowded with tourists.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

Despite its spelling with one 'o', 'loses' has a long vowel sound. This is because it historically had a different vowel that shifted during the Great Vowel Shift, but the spelling didn't change to reflect the new sound, leading to the common confusion with 'loose'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈluːzɪz/

US /ˈluːzɪz/

The stress is on the first syllable: LOO-zes.

Rime avec

chooses uses bruises cruises muses fuses refuses accuses

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the final 's' as a sharp /s/ instead of a /z/.
Making it one syllable (sounds like 'lose').
Confusing the vowel sound with 'loose' (/luːs/).
Pronouncing the 'o' like the 'o' in 'hot'.
Swapping the /z/ sounds for /s/ sounds throughout.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize, but often confused with 'losses' or 'looses' in text.

Écriture 4/5

High difficulty due to the common spelling error (adding an extra 'o').

Expression orale 3/5

Requires attention to the voiced /z/ sound at the end.

Écoute 2/5

Generally easy to hear, though can be confused with 'loose is' in fast speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

lose lost win find he/she/it

Apprends ensuite

misplace forfeit defeat diminish worsen

Avancé

depreciate squander atrophy dissipate forgo

Grammaire à connaître

Third-Person Singular Present Tense

He loses (correct) vs. He lose (incorrect).

Do-Support in Negatives

She does not lose (correct) vs. She does not loses (incorrect).

Do-Support in Questions

Does it lose? (correct) vs. Does it loses? (incorrect).

Voiced vs. Unvoiced Endings

Loses ends in /z/ (voiced), while loose ends in /s/ (unvoiced).

Collective Nouns as Singular

The team loses its game (Standard American English).

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Exemples par niveau

He loses his pen every day.

Il perd son stylo chaque jour.

Third-person singular 's' added to 'lose'.

She loses the game.

Elle perd le jeu.

Subject 'she' requires 'loses'.

The cat loses its toy.

Le chat perd son jouet.

Singular noun 'cat' takes 'loses'.

He loses his way in the park.

Il se perd dans le parc.

Present tense for a current situation.

My brother loses his hat.

Mon frère perd son chapeau.

Possessive 'his' follows 'loses'.

The team loses the match.

L'équipe perd le match.

Collective noun 'team' is treated as singular.

She loses her book.

Elle perd son livre.

Simple present for a common event.

He loses his money.

Il perd son argent.

Uncountable noun 'money' as the object.

He often loses his temper when he is tired.

Il perd souvent son calme quand il est fatigué.

Adverb 'often' placed before the verb.

The car loses speed on the hill.

La voiture perd de la vitesse sur la colline.

Describing a physical process.

She loses interest in her toys quickly.

Elle perd vite l'intérêt pour ses jouets.

Abstract object 'interest'.

Every winter, the tree loses its leaves.

Chaque hiver, l'arbre perd ses feuilles.

General truth in the present tense.

He loses weight by running every day.

Il perd du poids en courant tous les jours.

Describing a positive change.

The phone loses its charge very fast.

Le téléphone se décharge très vite.

Describing a technical problem.

She loses track of time when she reads.

Elle perd la notion du temps quand elle lit.

Common idiom 'lose track of time'.

The company loses customers to its rivals.

L'entreprise perd des clients au profit de ses rivaux.

Business context.

He loses his head whenever there is an emergency.

Il perd la tête dès qu'il y a une urgence.

Idiom meaning to become confused or panicked.

The argument loses its validity without evidence.

L'argument perd sa validité sans preuves.

Abstract academic context.

She loses no time in starting her new job.

Elle ne perd pas de temps pour commencer son nouveau travail.

Idiom meaning to do something immediately.

The fabric loses its color if you use bleach.

Le tissu perd sa couleur si vous utilisez de l'eau de Javel.

Conditional sentence structure.

He loses himself in the beauty of the mountains.

Il se perd dans la beauté des montagnes.

Reflexive use meaning to be deeply absorbed.

The project loses momentum because of the delay.

Le projet perd de son élan à cause du retard.

Describing a process slowing down.

She loses her nerve right before the performance.

Elle perd son courage juste avant la représentation.

Idiom meaning to become afraid.

The city loses its quiet atmosphere during the festival.

La ville perd son atmosphère calme pendant le festival.

Describing a change in environment.

The politician loses ground in the latest polls.

Le politicien perd du terrain dans les derniers sondages.

Idiom meaning to become less popular or successful.

The story loses its impact if the ending is spoiled.

L'histoire perd de son impact si la fin est révélée.

Discussing narrative effects.

He loses his grip on reality as the movie progresses.

Il perd pied avec la réalité au fur et à mesure que le film avance.

Describing a psychological state.

The currency loses value against the dollar.

La monnaie perd de la valeur par rapport au dollar.

Economic context.

She loses out on the promotion because of her lack of experience.

Elle rate la promotion à cause de son manque d'expérience.

Phrasal verb 'lose out on'.

The engine loses power when it overheats.

Le moteur perd de la puissance quand il surchauffe.

Technical cause and effect.

He loses face when his lies are discovered.

Il perd la face quand ses mensonges sont découverts.

Idiom meaning to lose respect or reputation.

The painting loses some of its detail in the photograph.

Le tableau perd certains de ses détails sur la photographie.

Comparing two forms of media.

The argument loses much of its force when presented poorly.

L'argument perd beaucoup de sa force lorsqu'il est mal présenté.

Focus on rhetorical effectiveness.

The tradition loses its meaning for the younger generation.

La tradition perd son sens pour la jeune génération.

Sociological observation.

The athlete loses his edge as he gets older.

L'athlète perd son avantage en vieillissant.

Idiom meaning to lose a competitive advantage.

The joke loses something in the retelling.

La blague perd quelque chose à être racontée à nouveau.

Subtle observation about communication.

The company loses its way after the founder retires.

L'entreprise s'égare après le départ à la retraite du fondateur.

Metaphorical use for lack of direction.

The law loses its effectiveness without proper enforcement.

La loi perd de son efficacité sans une application appropriée.

Legal/political context.

He loses himself in the intricate details of the map.

Il se perd dans les détails complexes de la carte.

Reflexive use for intense concentration.

The sun loses its warmth as the shadows lengthen.

Le soleil perd sa chaleur à mesure que les ombres s'allongent.

Poetic description of nature.

The prose loses its rhythmic quality in this translation.

La prose perd sa qualité rythmique dans cette traduction.

Literary criticism context.

The theory loses coherence when applied to extreme cases.

La théorie perd sa cohérence lorsqu'elle est appliquée à des cas extrêmes.

Scientific/philosophical critique.

The diplomat loses no opportunity to advocate for peace.

Le diplomate ne perd aucune occasion de plaider pour la paix.

Formal idiom for constant effort.

The landscape loses its harshness under the soft moonlight.

Le paysage perd de sa rudesse sous le doux clair de lune.

Aesthetic observation.

The protagonist loses his moral compass in the pursuit of power.

Le protagoniste perd sa boussole morale dans la quête du pouvoir.

Metaphor for ethical decline.

The system loses entropy as it reaches equilibrium.

Le système perd de l'entropie lorsqu'il atteint l'équilibre.

Technical scientific context.

The argument loses its sting when the facts are revealed.

L'argument perd de son mordant lorsque les faits sont révélés.

Idiom for losing aggressive power.

She loses herself in the infinite possibilities of the future.

Elle se perd dans les possibilités infinies de l'avenir.

Reflexive use for philosophical wonder.

Collocations courantes

loses weight

loses interest

loses money

loses patience

loses focus

loses ground

loses heart

loses track of

loses value

loses sleep

Phrases Courantes

loses his cool

— To become angry or lose control of one's emotions.

He loses his cool whenever someone interrupts him.

loses his head

— To become panicked or unable to think clearly in a crisis.

In an emergency, he often loses his head.

loses touch with

— To stop communicating with someone or to stop being aware of something.

He loses touch with his old friends after moving away.

loses sight of

— To forget about an important goal or fact.

The company loses sight of its original mission.

loses its luster

— To become less attractive or exciting over time.

The new job loses its luster after a few months.

loses the thread

— To stop understanding the connection between parts of a story or argument.

He loses the thread of the conversation during the long meeting.

loses count

— To forget how many of something there are while counting.

She loses count of how many times she has visited Paris.

loses no time

— To do something immediately without any delay.

He loses no time in calling the police after the accident.

loses face

— To lose the respect of others or to be humiliated.

The manager loses face when his mistake is made public.

loses his way

— To become lost or to lose a sense of purpose.

The hiker loses his way in the thick fog.

Souvent confondu avec

loses vs looses

This is a verb meaning to release or set free. It is much rarer than 'loses'.

loses vs loose

This is an adjective meaning not tight. Example: 'The screw is loose' vs 'He loses the screw'.

loses vs losses

This is a plural noun. Example: 'The company had many losses' vs 'The company loses money'.

Expressions idiomatiques

"He who hesitates loses"

— If you wait too long to make a decision, you will miss your chance.

You should buy that house now; he who hesitates loses.

Proverbial

"Loses the plot"

— To become confused or act irrationally; to lose touch with reality.

The director loses the plot halfway through the movie.

Informal

"Loses his shirt"

— To lose a large amount of money, especially through gambling or bad investments.

He loses his shirt on the stock market crash.

Informal

"Loses his grip"

— To lose control over a situation or over one's own abilities.

The aging athlete loses his grip on the game.

Neutral

"Loses its sting"

— To become less painful, difficult, or unpleasant.

The criticism loses its sting over time.

Neutral

"Loses his marbles"

— To become mentally unstable or act very strangely.

People think he loses his marbles in his old age.

Informal/Slang

"Loses the run of himself"

— To lose self-control or become overly excited and act foolishly.

He loses the run of himself when he gets a little bit of power.

Informal (Irish origin)

"Loses his rag"

— To suddenly become very angry.

He loses his rag when the computer crashes.

Informal (British)

"Loses the day"

— To be defeated in a battle or competition.

The army loses the day despite their bravery.

Literary

"Loses no sleep over"

— To not worry about something at all.

He loses no sleep over what his critics say.

Neutral

Facile à confondre

loses vs loose

Similar spelling and pronunciation.

Loose is an adjective (not tight); loses is a verb (misplaces/fails).

His pants are loose, so he loses them if he doesn't wear a belt.

loses vs losses

Both relate to the concept of losing and sound similar.

Losses is a noun (plural of loss); loses is a verb (3rd person singular).

He loses the game, adding to his long list of losses.

loses vs misses

Both involve not having or achieving something.

Misses is for opportunities or transport; loses is for possession or competition.

He misses the bus and loses his chance to be on time.

loses vs forgets

Both can lead to not having an item.

Forgets is about memory; loses is about the state of not having the item.

He forgets where he put his wallet, so he effectively loses it.

loses vs drops

Both can mean losing a game or an item.

Drops often implies a physical act or a sudden loss of a lead.

He drops the ball and loses the game.

Structures de phrases

Subject + loses + Noun

He loses his bag.

Subject + often + loses + Noun

She often loses her keys.

Subject + loses + [Possessive] + temper

He loses his temper easily.

Subject + loses + track + of + time

She loses track of time when she works.

Subject + loses + ground + in + [Context]

The party loses ground in the election.

Subject + loses + its + [Abstract Noun]

The argument loses its force.

Subject + loses + no + opportunity + to + Verb

He loses no opportunity to complain.

Subject + loses + itself + in + [Noun]

The mind loses itself in thought.

Famille de mots

Noms

loss (the act of losing)

loser (a person who loses)

losses (plural of loss)

Verbes

lose (base form)

lost (past tense/past participle)

losing (present participle)

Adjectifs

lost (misplaced or confused)

losing (associated with defeat, e.g., a losing streak)

Apparenté

misplace

defeat

failure

deprivation

forfeit

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written English.

Erreurs courantes

He looses his keys. → He loses his keys.
The word 'looses' means to release. The word for misplacing something is 'loses', with only one 'o'.
She doesn't loses the game. → She doesn't lose the game.
When using 'does not', the main verb must be in its base form ('lose'), not the third-person form ('loses').
They loses every time. → They lose every time.
'Loses' is only for singular subjects (he, she, it). For plural subjects like 'they', use 'lose'.
The team had many loses. → The team had many losses.
'Loses' is a verb. If you need a noun to describe the events of losing, use 'losses'.
He loses the bus. → He misses the bus.
You 'lose' things you own or games you play. You 'miss' transport or opportunities.

Astuces

Subject-Verb Agreement

Always pair 'loses' with a singular subject like 'he', 'she', 'it', or 'the dog'. Never use it with 'I', 'you', 'we', or 'they'.

The One-O Rule

Remember that 'loses' comes from 'lose'. It only has one 'o'. If you write 'looses', you are writing a different word that means 'to release'.

The Z Sound

The 's' in 'loses' sounds like a 'z'. Practice saying 'LOO-zez' to make sure you are understood correctly by native speakers.

Idiom Mastery

Learn common idioms like 'loses his cool' or 'loses track of time'. These will make your English sound much more natural and fluent.

Check Your Negatives

In negative sentences, use 'does not lose'. The 's' moves to the 'does', so the main verb stays as 'lose'. This is a very common mistake to avoid.

Syllable Count

Listen for the two syllables. 'Loses' (2) is different from 'lose' (1). This helps you identify the tense and subject of the sentence.

Sports Talk

If you follow sports, pay attention to how commentators use 'loses'. It's one of the most common words in sports journalism.

Business Accuracy

When talking about money, 'loses' is standard. 'The company loses profit' is a clear and professional way to describe a negative financial trend.

Literary Present

When writing about a book or movie, use 'loses' to describe the actions of the characters, as if they are happening now.

Describing Habits

Use 'loses' to describe someone's personality or habits, like 'He always loses his glasses.' It adds detail to your descriptions of people.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of the 's' at the end of 'loses' as standing for 'Singular'. It's the form you use for ONE person (He, She, or It). Also, remember: 'Lose' has lost an 'o' compared to 'Loose'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a single person (He or She) standing next to an empty box where their keys used to be. The 's' in 'loses' looks like a snake slithering away with the object.

Word Web

Misplace Defeat Waste Fail Drop Shed Forfeit Wane

Défi

Try to write three sentences about a fictional character named 'Lucky' who ironically loses everything he touches. Use 'loses' in every sentence.

Origine du mot

The word 'loses' comes from the Old English verb 'losian', which meant 'to be lost, perish, or go astray'. It is related to the Proto-Germanic root '*lausa-', meaning 'loose' or 'free'. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from 'perishing' to the modern sense of misplacing or failing to win.

Sens originel : To perish, be destroyed, or go astray.

Germanic

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using 'loses' regarding people (e.g., 'He loses his friends'). It can sound harsh or judgmental depending on the context.

The concept of 'losing face' is understood but often more associated with East Asian cultures; however, 'loses credibility' is a very common Western equivalent.

The song 'Lose Yourself' by Eminem (though it uses the base form, the concept is central). The proverb 'He who hesitates loses'. The common sports headline: '[Team Name] Loses in Overtime'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Sports

loses the match
loses the lead
loses in the final
loses to a rival

Daily Life

loses his keys
loses her phone
loses track of time
loses his way

Business

loses money
loses market share
loses customers
loses value

Emotions

loses his temper
loses her patience
loses interest
loses hope

Science

loses heat
loses energy
loses stability
loses moisture

Amorces de conversation

"What is something your best friend always loses?"

"Do you know someone who loses their temper easily?"

"Why do you think a person loses interest in a hobby?"

"How do you feel when your favorite team loses a big game?"

"What happens if a company loses its best employees?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe a time when someone you know loses something very important. How did they react?

Write about a character who loses their way in a forest. What do they do to find the path?

Discuss the idea that 'he who hesitates loses'. Do you agree with this proverb?

Reflect on how a person loses their fear of something over time.

Imagine a world where no one ever loses anything. How would life be different?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is 'he loses'. In English, the third-person singular (he, she, it) requires an 's' at the end of the verb in the present tense. For example, 'He loses his keys every day.' Using 'he lose' is a common grammatical error for beginners.

Think of the word 'lose'. It only has one 'o'. When you add the 's' for the third person, it becomes 'loses'. A good trick is: 'Lose' has lost an 'o' compared to 'loose' (which means not tight). So 'loses' also only has one 'o'.

'Loses' is a verb (an action), like 'He loses the race.' 'Losses' is a plural noun (a thing), like 'The team suffered three losses this season.' You can usually tell which one to use by looking at the subject and the structure of the sentence.

Usually, yes, as it involves failing or misplacing something. However, it can be positive in some contexts, such as 'He loses weight' or 'The argument loses its sting' (meaning it becomes less painful). Context is key to determining the emotional tone.

It is pronounced /ˈluːzɪz/. It has two syllables. The 's' in the middle and the 's' at the end both sound like a 'z'. It rhymes with 'chooses' and 'uses'. Make sure to voice the ending clearly.

No, you should use 'lose' with 'they'. 'Loses' is only for 'he', 'she', 'it', or singular nouns. For example: 'They lose the game' but 'He loses the game.' This is a fundamental rule of subject-verb agreement.

It is an idiom that means someone becomes very panicked, confused, or angry in a difficult situation, losing their ability to think clearly. For example: 'When the fire alarm went off, he lost his head and ran the wrong way.'

No, 'loses' is the present tense form. The past tense of 'lose' is 'lost'. For example: 'He loses his keys every day' (present habit) vs. 'He lost his keys yesterday' (past event).

In business, you might use 'forfeits' (if losing a right or deposit), 'depreciates' (if losing value), or 'sheds' (if losing jobs or market share). However, 'loses' is still very common, as in 'The company loses money.'

In science, 'loses' describes the transfer or dissipation of properties. For example, 'The metal loses heat' or 'The atom loses an electron.' It is a neutral way to describe physical changes in a system.

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