Loath vs Loathe
loath
reluctant (adjective)
loathe
to hate (verb)
How to tell them apart
loathE (with the extra E, longer word) is the verb: to hatE. loath (shorter, no E) is the adjective: reluctant.
Test yourself
Which word fits from context? Pick one, then reveal the answer. This is exactly how the GRE tests these pairs.
Question 1
Though the terms were generous, the veteran negotiator remained to sign until every clause had been examined by her own attorneys.
Choose: loath or loathe
Show answer
Answer: loath
predicate adjective before infinitive "to sign," meaning reluctant, forces loath; loathe (transitive verb) is grammatically wrong here.
Question 2
The critics openly the director's latest film, denouncing its shallow plot and cynical manipulation of the audience's emotions.
Choose: loath or loathe
Show answer
Answer: loathe
a transitive verb taking the direct object "film" plus "denouncing" forces loathe (to hate); loath (adjective) cannot take an object.
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