What’s the Difference Between “Chose” and “Choose”?
You’re not alone in your confusion between choose and chose. After all, the pronunciation and the extra “o” are the only things that set these words apart.
So, how do you use them correctly?
Below, we’ll go over their definitions and synonyms, and provide you with a definitive guide on their usage, so you’ll never find yourself asking, “What’s the difference between choose and choose?”
Let’s begin!
“Choose” Meaning
To choose something is “to select or decide on something or someone from a range of options or possibilities based on your preference or judgment.” You can pick from two, three, or more choices.
Choose is a verb—an action verb, to be exact. Verbs have different tenses and forms. Tenses indicate the timing of an action (or state), whether it happened in the past, present, or future.
Choose is in the present tense, meaning it’s referring to an action that’s happening now or one that happens habitually.
The form of a verb changes in response to additional information, including tense, mood, and aspect. Choose stands as the infinitive of the verb. In other words, it’s the simplest form, with no conjugations or changes.
How To Pronounce “Choose”
Choose /tʃuːz/ is pronounced like chooz . Even better, it’s similar to the sound emitted by a train: choo choo.
“Choose” Synonyms
If it makes it easier for you, there are a few synonyms you can use in place of choose, including select, pick, and decide.
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“Chose” Meaning
Chose is the simple past tense of choose. Put differently, chose refers to the action of having selected or decided on something from a range of options or possibilities, but in the past.
How To Pronounce “Chose”
Chose /tʃəʊz/ is pronounced as chohz, and it rhymes with toes .
“Chose” Synonyms
The synonyms for chose are the same as the synonyms for choose, but in the past tense: selected, picked, and decided.
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Choosing Between “Choose” and “Chose” Can Be Easy
When it comes to deciding between these two similar words, all you have to remember is that choose is the present tense and infinitive form of the verb, while chose is the past tense of the word.
Sure, that seems easy enough to remember until you actually have to pick a word, and your brain ends up drawing a blank. If it helps, try to keep this simple mnemonic in mind:
Chose is for those things in the past.
Yes, we know, we know. That was a great little poem there. But what if we told you there’s an even more straightforward way to use these words? Because there is! Our Grammar Checker can help you with choose and chose, and any other set of commonly confused words, like loose and lose, and many more.
Try it for yourself today and start writing like a pro!
