English Vocabulary in Use Elementary » Unit 60: Words you may confuse
Look at these units to find other words that are often confused:
Do and make [Units 40 and 41]
Take and bring [Units 43 and 44]
Say, tell, speak and talk [Unit 48]
Rob and steal [Unit 34]
Look up these pairs of verbs in a dictionary and make notes on the difference in meaning:
This unit looks at words which are easy to mix up.
quite /kwaɪt/ / quiet /ˈkwaɪət/
This book is quite good. bad → quite good → good
My bedroom is very quiet [silent].
A: Why do I always lose my keys!
B: Here they are.
A: Oh, thank you!
If you lose something, you do not know where it is / you can’t find it.
These trousers are very loose. (loose means they are not tight, because they are too big)
These trousers are very loose. (loose means they are not tight, because they are too big)
Fell is the past of fall.
Yesterday I fell and broke my arm.
Felt is the past of feel.
I felt ill yesterday, but I feel OK today.
He is a very good cook [the person who cooks].
This cooker costs £500. [the thing you cook on]
If you lend something, you give it.
If you borrow something, you get it.
Sam wants a bicycle:
SAM: Will you lend me your bicycle? (= you give it to me for one day / an hour, etc.) or Can I borrow your bicycle? (= I get it from you)
RITA: Yes, take it.
SAM: Thanks.
The passport officer checked my passport. [looked at it]
We use the mouse to control the computer. [tell it what to do]
They’re waiting for the bus. I hope I pass my exams. [I really want to pass]
I haven’t studied; I expect I’ll fail my exams. [it’s probable]
In English the afternoon is from about 12 o’clock till 5 or 6 pm.
The evening is from 5 or 6 pm until about 9 or 10 pm. After 9 or 10 pm it is the night.
The words you need to communicate with confidence. Vocabulary explanations and practice for pre-intermediate and intermediate level (B1) learners of English. Perfect for both self-study and classroom activities. Quickly expand your vocabulary with 100 units of easy to understand explanations and practice exercises.
The words you need to communicate with confidence. Vocabulary explanations and practice for Upper-intermediate level (B2) learners of English. Perfect for both self-study and classroom activities. Quickly expand your vocabulary with over 100 units of easy to understand explanations and practice exercises.
The words you need to communicate with confidence. Vocabulary explanations and practice for advanced level (C1 to C2) learners of English. Perfect for both self-study and classroom activities. Quickly expand your vocabulary with over 100 units of easy to understand explanations and practice exercises.