Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse writers. I have found the following to be among them:
LOATH / LOTH / LOATHE
The verb loathe is correctly spelled with an e at the end while loath and loth with no e at the end serve as adjectives. (The spelling loathe is also sometimes used as an adjective.)
The preferred adjective is loath. The spelling loth was in use in Middle English and is more antiquated; the spelling loathe is more commonly associated with the verb rather than the adjective.
The verb loathe means abhor or detest.
INCORRECT: I hate to admit it, but I loath him.
CORRECT: I hate to admit it, but I loathe him.
The adjective loath (or loth or possibly loathe) means reluctant or unwilling.
ANTIQUATED: He was loth to go into battle with nothing but a broadsword for a weapon.
LESS PREFERRED: My brother always was loathe to mow the lawn.
PREFERRED: My brother always was loath to mow the lawn.
© 2017 Ann Henry, all rights reserved.