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Why "is loathe to" misspeaks the intention

Reviewed and edited by Lloyd Cooper 09/10/2024, 12:21
English.me team member

What kind of error is it?

Is loathe to or is loath to. What's correct?

Misuse of homophones

Why do people make this mistake?

People often confuse the words "loathe" and "loath" because they sound similar and are spelled similarly, but they have different meanings and usages.

What is correct?

The correct phrase is "is loath to", using "loath" (an adjective meaning "reluctant" or "unwilling") instead of "loathe" (a verb meaning "to intensely dislike").

Examples of correct usage

  • She is loath to admit her mistakes.
  • He was loath to leave the party early.
  • They are loath to change their plans.

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