Look-alike words

Choose vs. Chose

Choose is the main form of the verb, used for the present and future. Chose is the past tense. Today I choose tea; yesterday I chose coffee. Choose rhymes with shoes, and chose rhymes with nose.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
choose	verb	to pick one or more things from a group of options; used for the present and future
chose	verb	the past tense of choose; picked from options at some time before now

Choose

verb: to pick one or more things from a group of options; used for the present and future

You can choose any two sides with your meal.
We will choose a new team captain next week.

Chose

verb: the past tense of choose; picked from options at some time before now

Grace chose the blue paint for her bedroom.
Last year our family chose a beach trip over camping.

How to remember the difference

Choose has two o's, like the two options in front of you right now. Chose lost an o because the choice is already over.

Good to know

The past participle is chosen, not chose: I have chosen, not I have chose. Choice is the noun, as in a good choice.

Spot the mistake

Yesterday I ~~choose~~ chose the wrong bus and ended up downtown.
Correct: Yesterday I chose the wrong bus and ended up downtown.
It's hard to ~~chose~~ choose just one dessert from this menu.
Correct: It's hard to choose just one dessert from this menu.

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. Last summer, Sam to work at a camp instead of a store.

2. Please a seat anywhere you like.