To wonder why people don't know the difference between loose and lose

[Bbq1]

Why is it so many people do not know that "loose' is a totally different word to" lose' with entirely different meanings? There's at least one thread daily using the word incorrectly. For example, "I am going to loose money"... The other one is "reins' and 'reigns'. A poster will say something along the lines of," My toddler wears reigns'. Is it really that difficult to know especially when it comes to loose and lose?

And "free reign" when it should be "free rein", as the expression is referring to horses, not monarchs!

It's a spelling mistake, they happen. Or people have more important things going on in life than being focused on pedantics. It's really not a big deal is it?

I'm assuming you're noticing this on FB or MN. People are hardly to use spellchecker like it's a dissertation.

Not that hard to understand.

'Lose' has a long 'o' sound. Therefore it's not hard to see how people would think it contains a double 'o'.

Yes, it's difficult for some people. Not everyone has the same confidence in writing.

So if they think lose is spelt as loose, how do they actually think loose is spelt - loose?

Well probably like 'lose'. As 'loose' has a short 'o' sound.

Similar to people who don’t know the difference between apostrophes and speech marks

Depends on what country you're from.

It is one of those pairs of words that I really have to think about when writing, my life would probably be simpler if I didn't have to do so much mental gymnastics when writing.

@Eunoia what country would use a speech mark to start a quote and an apostrophe to end it? (Genuine question, not being sarky I’ve just never seen or heard of it before)

Oh I see what you mean now

Because they know the word choose?

I'm sure we all have spellings that we occasionally get muddled. Lose Vs loose is one that I think is best understandable.

Plus, on here people won't be proof reading or using spell checkers and autocorrect won't pick it up.

Grammar and spelling (and punctuation!) isn't a strong point for everyone, just as maths isn't either. It doesn't make the person though, they're not lesser just because someone else is better at it. We all have something to learn.

critique my grammar and spelling all you want, youll be leaving someone else alone!

Lots of reasons. Not everyone has had the benefit of a good education for one.
My mum, for example, was dumped on any family member who would have her and wasn't in the same school for more than 5 minutes. Her reading, writing and spelling was appalling and she felt deeply ashamed of it her whole life. She didn't participate in things she would have enjoyed if it involved writing though fear some judgy cunt would sneer at her.

I doubt they’re mixing up the definition, just the spellings.

I hate it too! Also when people write ‘women’ not woman. You see it so often online , same with lose / loose, etc it can’t be just a spelling mistake or autocorrect.

Quite a lot of people in this country are just a bit thick.

I see lots of errors when I am on line, but I think that as long as we know what is meant then that is all that matters. I have a highly intelligent adult dyslexic DD with an MA and these are the sort of mistakes that she might make. WE cannot be picking people up on these things all the time.

It does grate (it is not great!!) but I feel inclined to let it all pass me by as long as I know what is meant.

I think phonetically, I'd probably spell it lusse.

It's one thing I really struggle with. (Also breaks and brakes). I often have to use online dictionary each time. Generally I have a good level of writing and education. I just find a few concepts like this impossible to retain.

Not everyone has had access to high levels of education, nor regular practice in written English. Some people are dyslexic. I don't think this is in any way difficult to imagine, OP.

I can see why people spell this incorrectly. Doesn't bother me.

Brought instead of bought however...

I struggle with spelling - that's my reason

There's at least one thread weekly picking apart people's English as well.
The answer though (might be difficult for someone as clever as you to grasp) is that they don't know.

Have you considered a visit to Pedant's Corner OP? You'll find a great many likeminded people.

FWIW, I think people frequently mis-spell "lose" because it has the sound "loo" at the start which is spelled with two o's.
"Peak" is the one that gets me. "Sneak peak!" Really? An unexpected mountain, you say?