English Vocabulary for learners
CONFUSING WORDS-5
Words that are often confused or misused in English
from: 'made of/made from'
to: 'sensitive/sensible'
- made of /made from
- We use made of when the material used doesn’t change.
"The wall is made of stones." (They are still stones.)
We use made from when the material is transformed into something else.
Wine is made from grapes. (They are no longer grapes.)
- We use made of when the material used doesn’t change.
- maybe /may be
- Maybe is an adverb which means 'perhaps' or 'possibly'.
"Maybe the book I ordered will arrive today. "
May be: ‘May’ is a modal verb and ‘be’ is the main verb.
'May be' means 'it could happen' or 'it might exist'.
"Be careful driving. There may be ice on the road."
- Maybe is an adverb which means 'perhaps' or 'possibly'.
- meeting /reunion
- A meeting is when people get together, or meet, usually to talk about a specific topic.
"We will discuss the drop in sales at the meeting tomorrow."
A reunion is an occasion for people who haven’t seen each other in a long time to see each other again (a family reunion, a school reunion, etc.).
"A school reunion is held every year in October - an occasion to catch up with old friends."
- A meeting is when people get together, or meet, usually to talk about a specific topic.
- migrate/emigrate/immigrate
- To migrate means to move from one area/country to another, especially in search of work.
"Many Americans migrated to the west during the gold rush."
"Several species of birds migrate in winter."
To emigrate means to leave one’s country to settle permanently in a foreign country.
"They decided to emigrate to Australia to have a better life."
To immigrate means to come to a country to settle there permanently.
"Ellis Island was the gateway for immigrantsto the USA."
- To migrate means to move from one area/country to another, especially in search of work.
- moral/morale
- Moral means the standards of behaviour
considered to be correct and honest.
“It is your moral duty to report the incident.”
Morale refers to the mental and emotional condition of an individual.
“The President's visit will boost the morale of the troops.”
- Moral means the standards of behaviour
considered to be correct and honest.
- only/unique
- Only means:
1) the sole one :
"I am an only child. I have no brothers or sisters."
2) exclusively:
"Please send handwritten replies only".
3) merely; just:
"I was only joking.".
Unique means:
1) the sole one:
"His unique concern is his own comfort."
2) the only one of its kind:
"Each piece of our jewellery is unique."
3) unequalled; unmatched:
"Maria Callas had a unique voice."
4) only existing in one area:
"The koala is unique to Australia."
- Only means:
- personal/personnel
- Personal means private, intended for a particular person.
"Please don’t open any letters marked ‘personal’"
Personnel refers to the people employed in a company.
"All the personnel received a Christmas bonus."
- Personal means private, intended for a particular person.
- pole/poll
- A pole is a long thin object in wood or metal used especially for supporting things..
"The flag was attached to a wooden pole."
A poll is a survey or the recording of opinions.
It also refers to the process of voting in elections.
"A recent poll concluded that Italians were the most stylish people."
- A pole is a long thin object in wood or metal used especially for supporting things..
- practice/practise
- Practice is a noun.
"I need more practice to become fluent."
Practise is a verb.
"You should practise speaking English every day."
- Practice is a noun.
- precede/proceed
- Precede means come before or ahead of something.
"An explosion in the factory preceded the fire."
Proceed means to continue as planned.
"The company decided to proceed with the acquisition."
- Precede means come before or ahead of something.
- priceless/worthless
- Priceless means so precious that its value cannot be determined.
"A priceless painting was stolen from the National Art Gallery."
Worthless means having no real value.
"The necklace looked expensive but it was in fact worthless."
- Priceless means so precious that its value cannot be determined.
- principal/principle
- Principal means:
- the first in order of importance.
"Oil is the principal export of the country."
- the person in charge of a school or college (UK).
"Mr. Brown was appointed principal of the new school."
- The original amount of money invested or lent.
"She lived on the interest without touching the principal."
"We try to teach our children a set of principles."
- the first in order of importance.
- Principal means:
- sceptic/septic
- Sceptic (US: skeptic);
A sceptic is a person who questions the validity or authenticity of something.
"People say apples clean your teeth but I’m a bit of a sceptic."
Septic: To go septicmeans to become infected with bacteria.
"She had her ears pierced and one of them went septic."
- Sceptic (US: skeptic);
A sceptic is a person who questions the validity or authenticity of something.
- sensitive/sensible
- Sensitive refers to something physical or emotional :
-
- Physical : easily irritated:
"Eva always buys sun cream for sensitive skins."
- Emotional : susceptible, easily upset or offended.
"Alex is very sensitive. Be careful how you announce the news."
- Physical : easily irritated:
- Sensible means having good judgment or common sense.
-
- "You must be sensible and lock your door at night."
- "When you go on a long walk it’s better to wear
sensible
shoes."
Sensible decisions or sensible clothes and shoes are practical. -
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