Past Tense of Lose
“Lose” follows the pattern lose → lost → lost. The same inflected form serves a finite simple-past clause and a past-participle construction; surrounding grammar identifies the role. Keep this conjugation task distinct from the existing spelling-confusion guide “lose vs. loose”; the spelling guide does not substitute for a direct verb-form answer.
The simple past and past participle of “lose” are both “lost.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| completed action in simple past | lost | Use “lost.” |
| past participle after have/has/had | lost | Use “lost.” |
| present/base-form context | lose | Use “lose” when a past form is not required. |
Quick tests
Verb-form test
Do you need the simple past or past participle of “lose”?
If yes: Use “lost.”
If no: Use “lose” or the appropriate present form when the sentence is not past.
Caveat: Both simple past and past participle are “lost.” Keep this conjugation task distinct from the existing spelling-confusion guide “lose vs. loose”; the spelling guide does not substitute for a direct verb-form answer.
Examples
We lost the receipt during the move.
“Lost” is the simple past of “lose.”
The team has lost only one match this month.
“Lost” is the past participle after “has.”
I sometimes lose track of the time.
The present form is “lose.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “lost” for both the simple past and the past participle.
Fast Test
If the sentence needs a past form or participle, choose “lost”; use “lose” or the appropriate present form in present-time contexts.
Usage Boundary
Both simple past and past participle are “lost.” Keep this conjugation task distinct from the existing spelling-confusion guide “lose vs. loose”; the spelling guide does not substitute for a direct verb-form answer.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- LOSE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Merriam-Webster records lost as the inflected past form of lose.
- LOSE — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Meaning, verb role and irregular inflection of lose