Page 61 - English Vocabulary in Use : Elementary

27 Words you may confuse

This unit looks at words which are easy to mix up.

Similar sounds
quite/quiet
This book is guite good. - -. bad ———— quite good ————— good
My bedroom is very guiet. :...:“- - silent / no noise

lose/loose
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)
felllfelt
Fell is from fall/fell/fallen.
Yesterday I fell and broke my arm.
Felt is from feel/felt/felt.
I] felt ill yesterday, but I feel
OK today.

cooker/cook
This cooker costs £500. (- the thing you cook on)
He is a very good cook. (= the person who cooks)

Similar or related meanings Do you want to
borrow it?
lend/borrow
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)
PN
Rita: Yes, take it.
Sam: Thanks.

check/control Mg
The passport officer checked my passport. (= looked at it}
The mouse controls the computer. (= tells it what to do)

Other words often mixed up

In English the afternoon is from about 12 o’clock till 5 or 6 p.m.
The evening is from 5 or 6 p.m. until about 9 or 10 p.m.
After 9 or 10 p.m. it is the night.
They’re waiting for the bus.
I hope I pass my exams. (=I really want to pass)
I have not studied; I expect I'll fail my exams. (= it’s probable)

58 English Vocabulary in Use (elementary)