00 / Confusables
Nouns
Job and work, price and cost, advice and advise — nouns learners swap.
33sets
01 / job vs work
Job is a countable noun for a specific role; work is an uncountable noun for the effort or activity itself.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: I am looking for a new work in the city.Right: I am looking for a new job in the city.
Wrong: She has three different works to pay her rent.Right: She has three different jobs to pay her rent.
Remember
A job is a title; work is the task.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
It is difficult to find a well-paying in this economy.
- 2.
He usually starts at eight and finishes by five.
- 3.
Streaming a new series after a long day of is a common way to relax lately.
- 4.
Most people in the group chat prefer remote because it helps them manage their city life.
- 5.
The fitness app developer left his stable to launch a startup for electric car enthusiasts.
02 / journey vs trip vs travel
Travel is the general activity, a journey is the movement from A to B, and a trip is the entire visit including the return.
Side by side
The act of traveling between two points.
The long journey across the desert took nearly three weeks to complete.
A short visit or a complete excursion.
She is planning a business trip to New York next month.
The general concept or act of moving.
International travel has become much more expensive over the last year.
Watch out
Wrong: How was your travel to London last weekend?Right: How was your trip to London last weekend?
Wrong: I am planning a journey to the grocery store.Right: I am planning a trip to the grocery store.
Remember
Travel is the verb; a journey is the path; a trip is the whole package.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the three options.
- 1.
Our school to the science museum was both educational and fun.
- 2.
We shared stories to pass the time during our train to Paris.
- 3.
The long across the country in an electric car requires careful planning of every charging stop.
- 4.
He decided to quit his job and devote his life to .
- 5.
Our group chat is flooded with photos from the weekend to the music festival in London.
- 6.
Global has become much easier for digital nomads who work from laptops in different city apartments.
03 / house vs home
House is the physical structure or building; home is the place where you live and feel a sense of belonging.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: I bought a beautiful new home with three bedrooms and a garage.Right: I bought a beautiful new house with three bedrooms and a garage.
Wrong: I am going to my house now to see my family.Right: I am going home now to see my family.
Remember
House is the shell; home is the heart.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
I am tired and I just want to go and rest.
- 2.
The fitness app helps users maintain a healthy lifestyle while they exercise in the comfort of their .
- 3.
After working remotely at the café all morning I decided to head to finish my video calls.
- 4.
The architecture firm designed a modern with solar panels and a charging port for electric cars.
- 5.
The old Victorian needs a fresh coat of white paint.
04 / country vs countryside
Country is a political nation or state, while countryside is the rural land away from cities.
Side by side
A nation with its own government
She has traveled to every country in South America for her research.
Rural areas, land, and scenery
We spent the weekend hiking through the English countryside near the coast.
Watch out
Wrong: France is a very beautiful countryside to visit in the summer.Right: France is a very beautiful country to visit in the summer.
Wrong: I want to move out of the city and live in the country.Right: I want to move out of the city and live in the countryside.
Remember
Country = Nation. Countryside = Nature.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The professional footballer represented his in the international tournament watched by millions on streaming platforms.
- 2.
The voted for a new president during the last election cycle.
- 3.
Electric cars are becoming more popular for weekend trips into the to escape the city noise.
- 4.
Many remote workers moved to the to enjoy nature while attending video calls from their gardens.
- 5.
The train ride offers beautiful views of the rolling green .
05 / information vs advice
Information provides facts or data, while advice provides a recommendation for action.
Side by side
facts or data about something
The brochure provides detailed information about the local history and landmarks.
recommendations on what to do
My mentor gave me some excellent advice on how to handle the interview.
Watch out
Wrong: The website has plenty of advice about the flight schedules.Right: The website has plenty of information about the flight schedules.
Wrong: She gave me some useful information on which car I should buy.Right: She gave me some useful advice on which car I should buy.
Remember
Information is for knowing; advice is for doing.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
My manager gave me some helpful about how to stay focused during long video calls.
- 2.
You should check the community forum for expert on fixing that specific error in the game.
- 3.
We need more before we can make a final decision.
- 4.
I usually ask my brother for financial when I have questions.
- 5.
The fitness app provides detailed about your daily heart rate and sleep patterns.
06 / news vs newspaper
News is the information itself, while a newspaper is the physical or digital publication that carries it.
Side by side
Information about recent events.
The news about the merger spread quickly through the office this morning.
A printed or digital publication.
He left the Sunday newspaper on the kitchen table after finishing the crossword.
Local newspapers are struggling to maintain their readership in the digital age.
Watch out
Wrong: Did you hear the newspaper about the royal wedding?Right: Did you hear the news about the royal wedding?
Wrong: I read an interesting news in the local gazette yesterday.Right: I read an interesting newspaper in the local gazette yesterday.
Remember
News is the story; a newspaper is the paper.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Electric car owners often use mobile apps to get the latest on available charging stations.
- 2.
The group chat was silent until everyone heard the about the upcoming music festival lineup.
- 3.
The local published a detailed report on how remote work is changing the city center.
- 4.
I usually check the latest on my phone during my commute.
07 / experience vs experiment
Experience is the knowledge you gain from living through events, while an experiment is a controlled test to see if an idea is true.
Side by side
Knowledge or skill gained from doing things.
She has ten years of experience in international marketing and sales.
A scientific test to discover something new.
The scientists conducted an experiment to measure the effects of the new drug.
Watch out
Wrong: I don't have enough experiment to apply for the senior manager position.Right: I don't have enough experience to apply for the senior manager position.
Wrong: The chemistry students performed a dangerous experience in the laboratory.Right: The chemistry students performed a dangerous experiment in the laboratory.
Remember
Experience = Life. Experiment = Lab.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The social media company decided to run an to see if shorter videos increased user engagement.
- 2.
Living abroad was a challenging that changed his perspective on life.
- 3.
Attending a live music festival is a unique that streaming services cannot fully replicate.
- 4.
We decided to with a different recipe for the sourdough bread.
- 5.
Remote work gives many employees the of managing their own schedule without a daily commute.
08 / problem vs question
A problem is a situation that needs fixing, while a question is a request for information that needs an answer.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: The government is trying to solve the unemployment question.Right: The government is trying to solve the unemployment problem.
Wrong: I have a problem: what time does the train arrive?Right: I have a question: what time does the train arrive?
Remember
Problems need solutions; questions need answers.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The developers are working late to fix a technical with the latest gaming app update.
- 2.
Heavy traffic in the city centre remains a major for people driving electric cars.
- 3.
The moderator asked a difficult about climate change during the live video call today.
- 4.
Housing costs have become a major for young families in the city.
- 5.
The interviewer asked a difficult about my previous work experience.
09 / reason vs cause
A reason is the motive or justification for a human action, while a cause is the physical force that produces a specific result.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: What was your cause for missing the deadline?Right: What was your reason for missing the deadline?
Wrong: The reason of the fire was an electrical short circuit.Right: The cause of the fire was an electrical short circuit.
Remember
Reason = Rationale. Cause = Catalyst.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Heavy rain was the primary of the sudden connection lag during the championship gaming tournament.
- 2.
Doctors are still trying to determine the of the infection.
- 3.
Engineers are investigating the physical of the battery failure in the latest electric car model.
- 4.
He had no valid to be late for the board meeting.
- 5.
The main for his decision to delete the app was the constant stream of notifications.
10 / mistake vs error
Mistake implies a lapse in judgment or a careless slip, while error suggests a failure to meet a technical standard or a formal rule.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: I am sorry, I made an error and took your umbrella by accident.Right: I am sorry, I made a mistake and took your umbrella by accident.
Wrong: The computer system displayed a fatal mistake on the blue screen.Right: The computer system displayed a fatal error on the blue screen.
Remember
Mistakes are human slips; errors are technical failures.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
It was a to leave the windows open during the heavy rainstorm.
- 2.
The referee checked the video replay to ensure there was no clear in the penalty call.
- 3.
The accountant found a significant calculation in the final yearly report.
- 4.
The fitness app displayed a technical while syncing the heart rate data from my smartwatch.
- 5.
Sending that private message to the entire group chat was a careless I deeply regret.
11 / customer vs client
A customer pays for goods or one-off services, while a client pays for ongoing professional expertise and advice.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: The supermarket is offering a special loyalty card for every client.Right: The supermarket is offering a special loyalty card for every customer.
Wrong: The defense attorney spent the afternoon preparing his customer for the trial.Right: The defense attorney spent the afternoon preparing his client for the trial.
Remember
Customer = Commodities. Client = Counsel.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
A loyal usually receives a discount after their tenth purchase.
- 2.
The freelance developer scheduled a video call to discuss the new app features with their long-term .
- 3.
A frustrated waited in the shop to return a faulty charging cable for their electric car.
- 4.
Our architectural firm is designing a sustainable home for a private .
- 5.
The fitness coach provides a personalized workout plan for each who signs up for the yearly program.
12 / employee vs employer
An employee is the person who gets paid to work, while an employer is the person or company that pays them.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: The employer was fired for arriving late to the office three times.Right: The employee was fired for arriving late to the office three times.
Wrong: I need to ask my employee for a pay raise next week.Right: I need to ask my employer for a pay raise next week.
Remember
Employee = Receives. Employer = Giver.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Every new receives a subscription to a fitness app as part of their wellness package.
- 2.
The football club acted as a responsible by supporting players during the long off-season.
- 3.
A responsible ensures a safe working environment for the entire team.
- 4.
A modern often provides remote work options to attract talent in the tech industry.
- 5.
The company offers a generous pension plan for every full-time .
13 / salary vs wage
Salary is a fixed annual amount paid monthly, whereas a wage is calculated by the hours worked or tasks completed.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: My monthly wage is fixed regardless of how many hours I work.Right: My monthly salary is fixed regardless of how many hours I work.
Wrong: The supermarket pays a very low salary to its part-time cashiers.Right: The supermarket pays a very low wage to its part-time cashiers.
Remember
Salary is stable; wages vary.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The company offers a competitive to attract experienced software engineers.
- 2.
He earns a decent weekly working at the local construction site.
- 3.
A gig worker often tracks every daily to manage their budget through a mobile fitness app.
- 4.
The software developer accepted a high annual before starting their new remote position.
- 5.
The local café pays a fair hourly to students who work during the busy weekend shifts.
14 / price vs cost
Price is the amount a seller asks for; cost is the total amount spent to produce or obtain something.
Side by side
The amount requested by a seller.
The retail price of the new smartphone dropped significantly after six months.
Total resources required or spent.
The total cost of the renovation exceeded our initial budget by thousands.
High labor costs are making it difficult for small businesses to survive.
Watch out
Wrong: The cost of this shirt is twenty dollars on the label.Right: The price of this shirt is twenty dollars on the label.
Wrong: We must reduce the price of production to stay profitable.Right: We must reduce the cost of production to stay profitable.
Remember
Price is on the tag; cost is what you actually lose.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The listed of the new electric car does not include the government tax credit for buyers.
- 2.
Streaming services are raising their monthly to cover the production of original drama series.
- 3.
A high on the menu often reflects the rare ingredients used by the chef.
- 4.
We need to set a competitive to attract more customers this season.
15 / remember vs memory
Remember is the action of bringing a thought back to mind, while memory is the mental storage or the specific thing you recall.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: Do you memory the time we got lost in London?Right: Do you remember the time we got lost in London?
Wrong: I have a very good remember of my first day at school.Right: I have a very good memory of my first day at school.
Remember
Remember is the verb; memory is the noun.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Winning the championship at home created a lasting for every football fan in the city.
- 2.
You must to mute your microphone before the video calls start each morning.
- 3.
The latest gaming console has enough internal to store dozens of high-definition titles.
- 4.
I can never where I parked my car in this garage.
- 5.
Visiting the old park brought back a happy childhood .
16 / permission vs permit
Permission is the abstract concept of being allowed to do something, while a permit is the physical document or specific legal authorization.
Side by side
The act of allowing something.
The manager gave her permission to leave the office two hours early.
An official document or authorization.
The city council issued a parking permit for the new residential zone.
Watch out
Wrong: I need to get a permit from my parents to go on the trip.Right: I need to get permission from my parents to go on the trip.
Wrong: The security guard asked to see my permission to enter the site.Right: The security guard asked to see my permit to enter the site.
Remember
Permission is the 'yes'; a permit is the paper.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The moderator gave the members to share links to their favorite streaming series in the group chat.
- 2.
You must ask for before you record the private meeting.
- 3.
We cannot start the construction work until the building arrives.
- 4.
You must display a valid parking on the dashboard of your electric car in this city.
- 5.
The fitness app asks for to track your location while you are running outdoors.
17 / staff vs stuff
Staff refers to the group of people working for an organization, while stuff refers to a collection of physical objects or abstract ideas.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: The company is firing half of its stuff to save money.Right: The company is firing half of its staff to save money.
Wrong: Please clear your staff off the table before we sit down for dinner.Right: Please clear your stuff off the table before we sit down for dinner.
Remember
Staff are people; stuff is things.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Management decided to hire more to handle the busy holiday season.
- 2.
I need to clear all this old out of my desk before the video call starts.
- 3.
Our coaching uses a specialized app to track the fitness levels of every player.
- 4.
There is a lot of interesting to learn in this advanced course.
- 5.
The hotel sent their entire to a training session about sustainable energy and water conservation.
18 / cloth vs clothes vs clothing
Cloth is the raw fabric, clothes are the specific items you wear, and clothing is the general category or industry term.
Side by side
The raw fabric or material itself.
She bought a square of red cloth to patch her favorite quilt.
Individual items worn on the body.
He packed his clothes into the suitcase ten minutes before leaving.
The collective category of wearable items.
The charity collects warm clothing for people living on the streets.
Watch out
Wrong: The shirt is made of a very soft clothes.Right: The shirt is made of a very soft cloth.
Wrong: I need to buy some new clothing for the party tonight.Right: I need to buy some new clothes for the party tonight.
Remember
Cloth is material; clothes are items; clothing is the category.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the three options.
- 1.
She used a soft microfiber to wipe the dust off her electric car touchscreen after the drive.
- 2.
The table was covered with a heavy linen for the dinner party.
- 3.
Protective is mandatory for everyone working in the laboratory.
- 4.
He spent the morning tidying his room before showing his new on a short fitness video.
- 5.
I need to wash these dirty before the weekend starts.
- 6.
The sustainable industry is growing rapidly as more people shop for eco-friendly fashion labels online.
19 / custom vs costume
Custom is a repeated social practice; costume is a specific style of clothing.
Side by side
A traditional way of behaving.
It is a local custom to remove your shoes before entering the house.
The guide explained the marriage customs of the indigenous tribes in the region.
Clothing for a specific role.
The actors spent three hours in the dressing room putting on their period costumes.
Children often wear scary costumes when they go trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
Watch out
Wrong: Shaking hands is a common costume when meeting someone for the first time.Right: Shaking hands is a common custom when meeting someone for the first time.
Wrong: The dancers wore traditional customs from the eighteenth century.Right: The dancers wore traditional costumes from the eighteenth century.
Remember
Custom = Culture. Costume = Clothes.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
It is a common for remote teams to start their weekly video calls with a casual chat.
- 2.
Many residents follow the local of bringing reusable bags when they visit the weekend farmers market.
- 3.
The lead actor wore a detailed medieval for the opening scene of the fantasy series.
20 / dessert vs desert
Dessert is the sweet course at the end of a meal, while a desert is a dry, sandy region with little water.
Side by side
Sweet food eaten after a meal.
We decided to share a chocolate lava cake for dessert after our main course.
The restaurant is famous for serving traditional Italian desserts like tiramisu and cannoli.
A dry area with little rain.
The caravan traveled for three days across the vast dunes of the Sahara desert.
Watch out
Wrong: I am too full to eat any desert tonight.Right: I am too full to eat any dessert tonight.
Wrong: It is so hot and dry in the Sahara dessert.Right: It is so hot and dry in the Sahara desert.
Remember
Dessert has two S's because you want a Second Serving.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
After the video call ended I treated myself to a small chocolate from the fridge.
- 2.
A popular food trend involves posting photos of every colorful on social media before eating.
- 3.
Cacti are well-adapted to surviving the extreme heat and lack of water in the .
- 4.
The off-road electric car handled the harsh climate of the rocky during the endurance test.
21 / stationary vs stationery
Stationary describes a lack of movement, while stationery refers to paper and writing supplies.
Side by side
Fixed in one place; not moving.
The truck remained stationary at the red light for several minutes.
Paper, envelopes, and other writing materials.
She visited the boutique to buy personalized stationery for her wedding invitations.
Watch out
Wrong: The driver crashed into a stationery vehicle parked on the shoulder.Right: The driver crashed into a stationary vehicle parked on the shoulder.
Wrong: I need to buy some new stationary to write a thank-you note.Right: I need to buy some new stationery to write a thank-you note.
Remember
Stationary has an 'a' for at rest; stationery has an 'e' for envelopes.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The office manager ordered new including letterheads and branded pens.
- 2.
The electric car remained at the charging point while the software update installed.
- 3.
During the remote fitness class, the instructor used a bike to lead the morning workout.
- 4.
She ordered custom from an online shop to write thank-you notes for her followers.
- 5.
You can burn calories effectively by using a bike at home.
22 / principal vs principle
Principal is an adjective meaning main or a noun for a leader, while principle is always a noun meaning a fundamental rule or belief.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: It is the principle cause of pollution in this city.Right: It is the principal cause of pollution in this city.
Wrong: He is a man of high principals.Right: He is a man of high principles.
Remember
The Principal is your pal; a principle is a rule.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The machine works on the of centrifugal force.
- 2.
The reason for the rise in electric car sales is the improvement in battery technology.
- 3.
The school decided to cancel the assembly this morning.
- 4.
Many remote workers choose their employers based on the of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
- 5.
The dancer in the modern ballet troupe performed a solo under the bright city lights.
23 / compliment vs complement
Compliment is a polite expression of praise, while complement is something that completes or improves another thing.
Side by side
praise or a polite remark
The chef came to our table after I sent him a sincere compliment.
something that completes or improves
The dry white wine provides a perfect complement to the spicy seafood pasta.
Watch out
Wrong: It is always nice to receive a complement on your hard work.Right: It is always nice to receive a compliment on your hard work.
Wrong: The new curtains really compliment the color of the sofa.Right: The new curtains really complement the color of the sofa.
Remember
ComplEment adds an Extra piece to complEte the set.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
It is common to send a polite to a creator after watching their latest video essay.
- 2.
These minimalist icons the interface of the fitness app to make navigation feel more intuitive.
- 3.
The new graphics card will your gaming setup to ensure smooth frame rates during live streams.
- 4.
She felt awkward when her boss started to her new hairstyle.
- 5.
Her analytical skills and his creative vision each other during team projects.
24 / personal vs personnel
Personal is an adjective for private matters, while personnel is a noun for a group of employees.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: I cannot answer that because it is a personnel matter.Right: I cannot answer that because it is a personal matter.
Wrong: The hospital is currently hiring new medical personal.Right: The hospital is currently hiring new medical personnel.
Remember
Personal has one 'n' for one person; personnel has two 'n's for many staff.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The manager offered some advice based on his own career path.
- 2.
The company is reducing its to cut down on monthly operating costs.
- 3.
Many remote workers prefer to keep their gaming accounts separate from their professional and emails.
- 4.
Military are often deployed to help local communities after extreme weather events caused by climate change.
- 5.
The festival organisers hired extra security to manage the large crowds during the headliner set.
25 / capital vs capitol
Capital is the city, the money, or the letter; capitol is the physical building where lawmakers meet.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: Washington D.C. is the capitol of the United States.Right: Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States.
Wrong: We took a guided tour of the state capital building yesterday.Right: We took a guided tour of the state capitol building yesterday.
Remember
Capitol with an 'o' is the dOme of the building.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The first word of every sentence must start with a letter.
- 2.
You must use a letter when you type your username into the secure video call app.
- 3.
The startup founder needed more to scale the electric car charging network across the country.
- 4.
The fitness app tracked my morning run as I looped around the dome of the state .
- 5.
The golden dome of the is visible from miles away.
26 / moral vs morale
Moral concerns the principles of right and wrong, while morale describes the emotional state or confidence of a group.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: She felt she had a morale obligation to help her neighbor.Right: She felt she had a moral obligation to help her neighbor.
Wrong: The manager is worried because staff moral is very low right now.Right: The manager is worried because staff morale is very low right now.
Remember
Moral is a Lesson; Morale is a Feeling.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The new documentary explores the implications of using artificial intelligence in modern creative industries.
- 2.
Low wages and long hours have significantly damaged employee this year.
- 3.
The remote team held a virtual gaming night to boost after a long week of video calls.
- 4.
The football manager praised the high of the squad following their comeback victory in the final minutes.
- 5.
He declined the job offer because of a deep objection to the company.
27 / device vs devise
Device is the physical tool or object, while devise is the action of creating a plan or system.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: I forgot my charging cable for my mobile devise at home.Right: I forgot my charging cable for my mobile device at home.
Wrong: The team needs to device a new marketing plan for the product launch.Right: The team needs to devise a new marketing plan for the product launch.
Remember
Device = Equipment. Devise = Design.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The fitness app tracks your heart rate through a small wearable worn on the wrist.
- 2.
A smart in the kitchen allows users to start the oven using a voice command.
- 3.
Engineers must a new way to reduce the battery weight in the latest electric cars.
- 4.
This small helps mechanics measure engine pressure more accurately.
- 5.
We must a better strategy to reach our sales targets this year.
28 / breath vs breathe
Breath is the noun for the air itself, while breathe is the verb for the action of moving that air.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: Hold your breathe while I take the underwater photo.Right: Hold your breath while I take the underwater photo.
Wrong: It was so smoky in the room that I could hardly breath.Right: It was so smoky in the room that I could hardly breathe.
Remember
Breathe has an 'e' for the energy needed to act.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
A thick cloud of cold was visible as the fans waited outside the football stadium.
- 2.
The doctor asked the patient to in through his nose.
- 3.
The fitness app reminds you to deeply during the final stretch of the yoga session.
- 4.
You can see your in the air on a cold winter morning.
- 5.
Remote workers often step onto their balconies to fresh air between long video calls.
29 / licence vs license
British English distinguishes between the noun licence and the verb license, while American English uses license for both forms.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: You need to license your car before you can drive it legally.Right: You need to licence your car before you can drive it legally.
Wrong: The council refused to licence the new nightclub due to noise concerns.Right: The council refused to license the new nightclub due to noise concerns.
Remember
Licence is the noun (like Practice); License is the verb (like Practise).
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Streaming platforms must the broadcasting rights from the studio before they can host a new series.
- 2.
A professional trainer needs a valid to operate their fitness app business within the city.
- 3.
The London driver checked the expiry date on their driving before renting an electric car.
- 4.
The restaurant lost its liquor after serving alcohol to underage customers.
- 5.
The software company decided to its patented technology to smaller startups.
30 / earn vs win
Earn is the result of work or effort, while win is the result of luck, a game, or a competition.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: I need to win more money at my job to pay the rent.Right: I need to earn more money at my job to pay the rent.
Wrong: Did your favorite football team earn the match last night?Right: Did your favorite football team win the match last night?
Remember
Earn = Effort. Win = Winner.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
You must post high quality content regularly if you want to more followers on your social profile.
- 2.
He was surprised to the lottery with a ticket he found.
- 3.
Many digital nomads move to Bali so they can a high salary while living in a paradise.
- 4.
You can a high salary if you specialize in data science.
- 5.
The local football team hopes to the final match and secure a spot in the national league.
31 / save vs spend
Save is keeping resources for later, while spend is using them up now.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: I need to spend some money for my retirement fund.Right: I need to save some money for my retirement fund.
Wrong: She wants to save her vacation days traveling around Europe.Right: She wants to spend her vacation days traveling around Europe.
Remember
Save stays; Spend slips away.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
We can a lot of time if we take the highway instead.
- 2.
How much time do you commuting to the office each day?
- 3.
Many city dwellers prefer to their weekends exploring new food trends at local pop-up markets.
- 4.
Professional gamers often hours every day refining their movement in competitive first-person shooters.
- 5.
You should your progress frequently when working on a remote server to avoid losing data.
32 / afford vs allow
Afford is about having enough money or time; allow is about giving permission or making something possible.
Side by side
Watch out
Wrong: I don't have enough money to allow this expensive watch.Right: I don't have enough money to afford this expensive watch.
Wrong: The teacher doesn't afford students to use their phones in class.Right: The teacher doesn't allow students to use their phones in class.
Remember
Afford = Money/Time. Allow = Permission.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
My parents didn't me to stay out past midnight on weekdays.
- 2.
The manager couldn't to lose her best employee during the busy season.
- 3.
After working extra hours all month, she can finally the high subscription fee for the fitness app.
- 4.
Most young professionals in this city cannot to buy a flat without a significant bank loan.
- 5.
New privacy settings on the social network users to hide their profile from public search results.
33 / cheap vs inexpensive
Cheap implies low quality or a lack of value, while inexpensive simply means the price is low.
Side by side
Low price and poor quality.
I bought a cheap umbrella that broke during the first rainstorm.
Low price but good value.
We found an inexpensive bistro that serves excellent local wine.
Watch out
Wrong: She wore a cheap dress that looked like it cost thousands of dollars.Right: She wore an inexpensive dress that looked like it cost thousands of dollars.
Remember
Cheap feels flimsy; inexpensive feels like a bargain.
Quick check
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Modern electric cars are becoming more as battery technology improves across the global automotive industry.
- 2.
Finding an microphone for video calls is easy if you check online reviews for budget gear.
- 3.
The fitness app felt because the interface was buggy and the workout videos kept crashing.
- 4.
The hotel felt because the towels were thin and the bed creaked.
- 5.
The museum offers tickets for students and senior citizens.