“Is loathe to” or “is loath to”: which is correct?
is loath to
The short answer
The correct phrase is is loath to, using loath (an adjective meaning reluctant or unwilling) instead of loathe (a verb meaning to intensely dislike).
Misuse of homophones
Why people get it wrong
People often confuse the words loathe and loath because they sound similar and are spelled similarly, but they have different meanings and usages.
Examples with is loath to
- She is loath to admit her mistakes.
- He was loath to leave the party early.
- They are loath to change their plans.
Quick check
She admit her mistakes.
The correct phrase is is loath to, using loath (an adjective meaning reluctant or unwilling) instead of loathe (a verb meaning to intensely dislike).
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