Page 229 - Basic English Usage
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last and latest
We use /atest for things which are new.
What do you think of his latest film?
Last can mean ‘the one before this’.
| like his new film better than his last one.
Last can also mean ‘the one at the end’, ‘final’.
This is your last chance.
10 look after and look for
Look after = ‘take care of’.
Will you look after the children while I'm out?
Look for = ‘try to find’.
‘What are you doing down there?’ ‘Looking for my keys.’
11 lose and loose
Lose is a verb — the opposite of find.
| keep losing my keys.(NOT ... feesing ...)
Loose is an adjective — the opposite of tight.
My shoes are too loose.
12 presently and at present
Presently most often means ‘not now, later’.
‘Mummy, can | have an ice-cream?’ ‘Presently, dear.’
He's having a rest now. He'll be down presently.
Presently is sometimes used to mean ‘now’, especially in American
English. This is the same as ‘at present’.
Professor Holloway is presently researching into plant diseases.
13 price and prize
The price is what you pay if you buy something.
What's the price of the green dress?
A prize is what you are given if you win a competition, or if you have
done something exceptional.
She received the Nobel! Prize for physics.
14 principal and principle
Principal is usually an adjective. It means ‘main’, ‘most important’.
What is your principal reason for wanting to be a doctor?
