Nouns
Job and work, price and cost, advice and advise — nouns learners swap.
job vs work
Job is a countable noun for a specific role; work is an uncountable noun for the effort or activity itself.
A specific position or employment role.
She applied for a teaching job at the local primary school.
General effort or tasks performed regularly.
I have so much work to finish before the weekend starts.
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I am looking for a new work in the city.
I am looking for a new job in the city.
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She has three different works to pay her rent.
She has three different jobs to pay her rent.
Remember A job is a title; work is the task.
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.
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.
The act of traveling between two points.
The long journey across the desert took nearly three weeks to complete.
The general concept or act of moving.
International travel has become much more expensive over the last year.
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How was your travel to London last weekend?
How was your trip to London last weekend?
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I am planning a journey to the grocery store.
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.
Fill the gap with one of the three options.
- 1.
We shared stories to pass the time during our train to Paris.
- 2.
Our school to the science museum was both educational and fun.
- 3.
He decided to quit his job and devote his life to .
house vs home
House is the physical structure or building; home is the place where you live and feel a sense of belonging.
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I bought a beautiful new home with three bedrooms and a garage.
I bought a beautiful new house with three bedrooms and a garage.
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I am going to my house now to see my family.
I am going home now to see my family.
Remember House is the shell; home is the heart.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The old Victorian needs a fresh coat of white paint.
- 2.
I am tired and I just want to go and rest.
country vs countryside
Country is a political nation or state, while countryside is the rural land away from cities.
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.
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France is a very beautiful countryside to visit in the summer.
France is a very beautiful country to visit in the summer.
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I want to move out of the city and live in the country.
I want to move out of the city and live in the countryside.
Remember Country = Nation. Countryside = Nature.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The voted for a new president during the last election cycle.
- 2.
The train ride offers beautiful views of the rolling green .
information vs advice
Information provides facts or data, while advice provides a recommendation for action.
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.
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The website has plenty of advice about the flight schedules.
The website has plenty of information about the flight schedules.
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She gave me some useful information on which car I should buy.
She gave me some useful advice on which car I should buy.
Remember Information is for knowing; advice is for doing.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
We need more before we can make a final decision.
- 2.
I usually ask my brother for financial when I have questions.
news vs newspaper
News is the information itself, while a newspaper is the physical or digital publication that carries it.
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.
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Did you hear the newspaper about the royal wedding?
Did you hear the news about the royal wedding?
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I read an interesting news in the local gazette yesterday.
I read an interesting newspaper in the local gazette yesterday.
Remember News is the story; a newspaper is the paper.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
I usually check the latest on my phone during my commute.
- 2.
Local are struggling to maintain their readership in the digital age.
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.
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.
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I don't have enough experiment to apply for the senior manager position.
I don't have enough experience to apply for the senior manager position.
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The chemistry students performed a dangerous experience in the laboratory.
The chemistry students performed a dangerous experiment in the laboratory.
Remember Experience = Life. Experiment = Lab.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Living abroad was a challenging that changed his perspective on life.
- 2.
We decided to with a different recipe for the sourdough bread.
problem vs question
A problem is a situation that needs fixing, while a question is a request for information that needs an answer.
A difficult situation needing a solution.
We need to fix the technical problem before the meeting starts.
A sentence that asks for information.
Please raise your hand if you have a question about the homework.
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The government is trying to solve the unemployment question.
The government is trying to solve the unemployment problem.
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I have a problem: what time does the train arrive?
I have a question: what time does the train arrive?
Remember Problems need solutions; questions need answers.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Housing costs have become a major for young families in the city.
- 2.
The interviewer asked a difficult about my previous work experience.
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.
The motive or justification for acting.
The main reason she quit her job was the lack of career growth.
The source that produces an effect.
Heavy rainfall was the primary cause of the flash flooding.
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What was your cause for missing the deadline?
What was your reason for missing the deadline?
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The reason of the fire was an electrical short circuit.
The cause of the fire was an electrical short circuit.
Remember Reason = Rationale. Cause = Catalyst.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
He had no valid to be late for the board meeting.
- 2.
Doctors are still trying to determine the of the infection.
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.
A wrong action caused by poor judgment.
I made a mistake and accidentally sent the email to the wrong person.
A deviation from accuracy or formal rules.
The software crashed because of a critical error in the source code.
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I am sorry, I made an error and took your umbrella by accident.
I am sorry, I made a mistake and took your umbrella by accident.
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The computer system displayed a fatal mistake on the blue screen.
The computer system displayed a fatal error on the blue screen.
Remember Mistakes are human slips; errors are technical failures.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
It was a to leave the windows open during the heavy rainstorm.
- 2.
The accountant found a significant calculation in the final yearly report.
customer vs client
A customer pays for goods or one-off services, while a client pays for ongoing professional expertise and advice.
Someone buying products or simple services.
The shop assistant thanked the customer for choosing their local bookstore.
Someone receiving long-term professional services.
The lawyer met with her client to discuss the new contract details.
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The supermarket is offering a special loyalty card for every client.
The supermarket is offering a special loyalty card for every customer.
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The defense attorney spent the afternoon preparing his customer for the trial.
The defense attorney spent the afternoon preparing his client for the trial.
Remember Customer = Commodities. Client = Counsel.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
A loyal usually receives a discount after their tenth purchase.
- 2.
Our architectural firm is designing a sustainable home for a private .
employee vs employer
An employee is the person who gets paid to work, while an employer is the person or company that pays them.
The person hired to do work.
Every new employee must attend the safety orientation on Monday morning.
The entity that provides the job.
My previous employer provided excellent health insurance for all staff members.
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The employer was fired for arriving late to the office three times.
The employee was fired for arriving late to the office three times.
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I need to ask my employee for a pay raise next week.
I need to ask my employer for a pay raise next week.
Remember Employee = Receives. Employer = Giver.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The company offers a generous pension plan for every full-time .
- 2.
A responsible ensures a safe working environment for the entire team.
salary vs wage
Salary is a fixed annual amount paid monthly, whereas a wage is calculated by the hours worked or tasks completed.
Fixed annual pay for professional roles.
Her starting salary is fifty thousand dollars per year plus benefits.
Payment based on hours or output.
The state recently increased the minimum wage to fifteen dollars an hour.
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My monthly wage is fixed regardless of how many hours I work.
My monthly salary is fixed regardless of how many hours I work.
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The supermarket pays a very low salary to its part-time cashiers.
The supermarket pays a very low wage to its part-time cashiers.
Remember Salary is stable; wages vary.
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.
price vs cost
Price is the amount a seller asks for; cost is the total amount spent to produce or obtain something.
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.
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The cost of this shirt is twenty dollars on the label.
The price of this shirt is twenty dollars on the label.
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We must reduce the price of production to stay profitable.
We must reduce the cost of production to stay profitable.
Remember Price is on the tag; cost is what you actually lose.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
We need to set a competitive to attract more customers this season.
- 2.
High labor are making it difficult for small businesses to survive.
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.
the act of recalling information
Please remember to lock the front door when you leave the house.
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Do you memory the time we got lost in London?
Do you remember the time we got lost in London?
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I have a very good remember of my first day at school.
I have a very good memory of my first day at school.
Remember Remember is the verb; memory is the noun.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
I can never where I parked my car in this garage.
- 2.
Visiting the old park brought back a happy childhood .
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.
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.
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I need to get a permit from my parents to go on the trip.
I need to get permission from my parents to go on the trip.
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The security guard asked to see my permission to enter the site.
The security guard asked to see my permit to enter the site.
Remember Permission is the 'yes'; a permit is the paper.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
You must ask for before you record the private meeting.
- 2.
We cannot start the construction work until the building arrives.
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.
The employees of a business.
The hotel staff provided excellent service during our entire three-day stay.
Unspecified items, materials, or belongings.
I need to move all my stuff into the new apartment by Friday.
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The company is firing half of its stuff to save money.
The company is firing half of its staff to save money.
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Please clear your staff off the table before we sit down for dinner.
Please clear your stuff off the table before we sit down for dinner.
Remember Staff are people; stuff is things.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
Management decided to hire more to handle the busy holiday season.
- 2.
There is a lot of interesting to learn in this advanced course.
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.
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.
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The shirt is made of a very soft clothes.
The shirt is made of a very soft cloth.
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I need to buy some new clothing for the party tonight.
I need to buy some new clothes for the party tonight.
Remember Cloth is material; clothes are items; clothing is the category.
Fill the gap with one of the three options.
- 1.
The table was covered with a heavy linen for the dinner party.
- 2.
I need to wash these dirty before the weekend starts.
- 3.
Protective is mandatory for everyone working in the laboratory.
custom vs costume
Custom is a repeated social practice; costume is a specific style of clothing.
A traditional way of behaving.
It is a local custom to remove your shoes before entering the house.
Clothing for a specific role.
The actors spent three hours in the dressing room putting on their period costumes.
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Shaking hands is a common costume when meeting someone for the first time.
Shaking hands is a common custom when meeting someone for the first time.
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The dancers wore traditional customs from the eighteenth century.
The dancers wore traditional costumes from the eighteenth century.
Remember Custom = Culture. Costume = Clothes.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The guide explained the marriage of the indigenous tribes in the region.
- 2.
Children often wear scary when they go trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
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.
Sweet food eaten after a meal.
We decided to share a chocolate lava cake for dessert after our main course.
A dry area with little rain.
The caravan traveled for three days across the vast dunes of the Sahara desert.
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I am too full to eat any desert tonight.
I am too full to eat any dessert tonight.
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It is so hot and dry in the Sahara dessert.
It is so hot and dry in the Sahara desert.
Remember Dessert has two S's because you want a Second Serving.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The restaurant is famous for serving traditional Italian like tiramisu and cannoli.
- 2.
Cacti are well-adapted to surviving the extreme heat and lack of water in the .
stationary vs stationery
Stationary describes a lack of movement, while stationery refers to paper and writing supplies.
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.
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The driver crashed into a stationery vehicle parked on the shoulder.
The driver crashed into a stationary vehicle parked on the shoulder.
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I need to buy some new stationary to write a thank-you note.
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.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
You can burn calories effectively by using a bike at home.
- 2.
The office manager ordered new including letterheads and branded pens.
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.
The most important or the person in charge.
The principal reason for the delay was a lack of funding.
A basic truth, law, or moral rule.
She refused to lie because it went against her principles.
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It is the principle cause of pollution in this city.
It is the principal cause of pollution in this city.
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He is a man of high principals.
He is a man of high principles.
Remember The Principal is your pal; a principle is a rule.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The school decided to cancel the assembly this morning.
- 2.
The machine works on the of centrifugal force.
compliment vs complement
Compliment is a polite expression of praise, while complement is something that completes or improves another thing.
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.
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It is always nice to receive a complement on your hard work.
It is always nice to receive a compliment on your hard work.
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The new curtains really compliment the color of the sofa.
The new curtains really complement the color of the sofa.
Remember ComplEment adds an Extra piece to complEte the set.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
She felt awkward when her boss started to her new hairstyle.
- 2.
Her analytical skills and his creative vision each other during team projects.
personal vs personnel
Personal is an adjective for private matters, while personnel is a noun for a group of employees.
relating to a specific individual's life
She decided to keep her personal life separate from her professional duties.
the people who work for an organization
All medical personnel must attend the safety briefing in the main hall.
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I cannot answer that because it is a personnel matter.
I cannot answer that because it is a personal matter.
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The hospital is currently hiring new medical personal.
The hospital is currently hiring new medical personnel.
Remember Personal has one 'n' for one person; personnel has two 'n's for many staff.
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.
capital vs capitol
Capital is the city, the money, or the letter; capitol is the physical building where lawmakers meet.
The city, money, or uppercase letters.
Paris is the capital of France and its most populous city.
You need to raise more capital before you start a new business.
The building where a legislature meets.
Protesters gathered on the steps of the state capitol this morning.
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Washington D.C. is the capitol of the United States.
Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States.
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We took a guided tour of the state capital building yesterday.
We took a guided tour of the state capitol building yesterday.
Remember Capitol with an 'o' is the dOme of the building.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The first word of every sentence must start with a letter.
- 2.
The golden dome of the is visible from miles away.
moral vs morale
Moral concerns the principles of right and wrong, while morale describes the emotional state or confidence of a group.
principles of right and wrong behavior
The story ends with a clear moral about the importance of honesty.
the spirit and confidence of a group
The team's morale reached an all-time high after they won the championship.
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She felt she had a morale obligation to help her neighbor.
She felt she had a moral obligation to help her neighbor.
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The manager is worried because staff moral is very low right now.
The manager is worried because staff morale is very low right now.
Remember Moral is a Lesson; Morale is a Feeling.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
He declined the job offer because of a deep objection to the company.
- 2.
Low wages and long hours have significantly damaged employee this year.
device vs devise
Device is the physical tool or object, while devise is the action of creating a plan or system.
A physical tool or electronic object.
Please turn off every electronic device before the flight takes off.
To invent a new way of doing something.
The engineers need to devise a way to reduce carbon emissions.
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I forgot my charging cable for my mobile devise at home.
I forgot my charging cable for my mobile device at home.
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The team needs to device a new marketing plan for the product launch.
The team needs to devise a new marketing plan for the product launch.
Remember Device = Equipment. Devise = Design.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
This small helps mechanics measure engine pressure more accurately.
- 2.
We must a better strategy to reach our sales targets this year.
breath vs breathe
Breath is the noun for the air itself, while breathe is the verb for the action of moving that air.
The air taken into the lungs.
She took a deep breath before stepping onto the stage to speak.
To inhale and exhale air.
It is important to breathe slowly when you feel panicked or stressed.
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Hold your breathe while I take the underwater photo.
Hold your breath while I take the underwater photo.
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It was so smoky in the room that I could hardly breath.
It was so smoky in the room that I could hardly breathe.
Remember Breathe has an 'e' for the energy needed to act.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
You can see your in the air on a cold winter morning.
- 2.
The doctor asked the patient to in through his nose.
licence vs license
British English distinguishes between the noun licence and the verb license, while American English uses license for both forms.
The official document or permit itself.
He showed his driving licence to the officer during the routine traffic stop.
To grant official permission to someone.
The state will license the new medical clinic once the final inspection passes.
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You need to license your car before you can drive it legally.
You need to licence your car before you can drive it legally.
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The council refused to licence the new nightclub due to noise concerns.
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).
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The restaurant lost its liquor after serving alcohol to underage customers.
- 2.
The software company decided to its patented technology to smaller startups.
earn vs win
Earn is the result of work or effort, while win is the result of luck, a game, or a competition.
to receive money or credit for work
She worked extra shifts to earn enough money for a new car.
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I need to win more money at my job to pay the rent.
I need to earn more money at my job to pay the rent.
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Did your favorite football team earn the match last night?
Did your favorite football team win the match last night?
Remember Earn = Effort. Win = Winner.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
You can a high salary if you specialize in data science.
- 2.
He was surprised to the lottery with a ticket he found.
save vs spend
Save is keeping resources for later, while spend is using them up now.
to keep money or time for the future
I try to save twenty percent of my salary every month for emergencies.
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I need to spend some money for my retirement fund.
I need to save some money for my retirement fund.
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She wants to save her vacation days traveling around Europe.
She wants to spend her vacation days traveling around Europe.
Remember Save stays; Spend slips away.
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?
afford vs allow
Afford is about having enough money or time; allow is about giving permission or making something possible.
giving permission or enabling something
The new security software will allow users to access their files remotely.
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I don't have enough money to allow this expensive watch.
I don't have enough money to afford this expensive watch.
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The teacher doesn't afford students to use their phones in class.
The teacher doesn't allow students to use their phones in class.
Remember Afford = Money/Time. Allow = Permission.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The manager couldn't to lose her best employee during the busy season.
- 2.
My parents didn't me to stay out past midnight on weekdays.
cheap vs inexpensive
Cheap implies low quality or a lack of value, while inexpensive simply means the price is low.
Low price but good value.
We found an inexpensive bistro that serves excellent local wine.
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She wore a cheap dress that looked like it cost thousands of dollars.
She wore an inexpensive dress that looked like it cost thousands of dollars.
Remember Cheap feels flimsy; inexpensive feels like a bargain.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The hotel felt because the towels were thin and the bed creaked.
- 2.
The museum offers tickets for students and senior citizens.