Similar but Different
A
A) There's only a phone in our office.
B) There's only one phone in our office.
What's the difference between these two sentences? In Spanish there's no difference. Solo hay un teléfono en nuestra oficina. But in English there's an important difference.
The office in sentence "A" is completely empty except for the telephone.
The office in sentence "B" has many things but only one phone.
Some and any refer to an indefinite quantity. In general, some is used in affirmative sentences and any in negatives and interrogatives.
It is more polite to make an offer with some. Also the use of some indicates that we expect an affirmative response.
"Have you got any money?" "No, I haven't got any. But, we can borrow some from Hazel."
"You look thirsty. Would you like some water?"
"You look terrible. Did you get any sleep last night?"
Any also means every (of more than two), no matter which.
If you have any questions whatsoever we'll be more than happy to answer them during the break.
Across means from one side to another, usually of a level surface. (a street)
If you're crossing something high, over is better. (a bridge)
Through means in at one end and out the other so there's a sense of volume. (a tunnel)
So, I go across the street over the bridge and through the tunnel.
Dave works as a clown. This means he is a professional clown.
Dave works like a clown. This means he doesn't take his work very seriously.
Collecting things, like stamps or coins, can be a good investment.
Collecting things, such as stamps or coins, can be a good investment.
Pay attention and do as I tell you. As is followed by a subject and a verb.
Pay attention and do it like this. Like is followed by a pronoun.
To discuss is to give consideration while to argue is to express disagreement.
We began the meeting by discussing plans for the company picnic and ended up arguing about the seating plan. It was impossible to please everyone.
Already is mostly used in the affirmative.
I've already sent off the report.
Already is used in a question to express surprise.
Have you finished already?
Yet is normally used in negative and interrogative forms.
Have you finished yet? No, I haven't finished yet.
Yet can be used in an affirmative sentence but the idea is negative.
I have yet to meet someone who is truly bilingual.
Still normally expresses surprise.
You're still here! Are you still waiting? We still haven't heard from them!
Alone means without or separated from others.
He lived alone for two years before he met his wife.
Lonely means unhappy because of being alone.
He's been very lonely since his children moved away from home.
Only means with no others in the same group or of the same type.
They say that I was the only one who could understand what my brother said when he was a baby.
Between is only for two things or people.
Just between the two of us, I think the new group leader has very little experience.
Among is for three or more.
She's among the wealthiest women in the country.
Both refer to what is normal, common or customary but the structure is different.
He's usually late. As usual, he is late.
Enclose is to put inside an envelope in addition to something else.
I'm enclosing a copy of the report with this letter.
Attach is to fasten, fix or connect.
I've attached a cheque to the order form.
Attendance - Audience - Congregation - Spectator
Attendance refers to the number of people present.
The attendance at the seminar was higher than expected.
People who attend a play or a concert are the audience.
People who attend a religious service are the congregation.
People who attend a sporting event are spectators.
All these words can refer to suffering or discomfort in a particular part of the body.
I was working in the garden yesterday and I have a pain in my back.
My back hurts. Perhaps I hurt my back.
My back is sore.
My back aches. I have an ache in my back.
With ache we can form several nouns: Backache, headache, toothache, stomach-ache
To be out is to be away from the inside, away from home or a building, not in one's place; absent.
I'm afraid he's out at the moment. Can I take a message?
To be away means to be in another place.
I'm afraid he can't be reached. He's away on a business trip.
Insure - Ensure - Assure - Reassure
Ensure (British English) and insure (American English) mean to make (something) sure to happen.
If you want to ensure/insure arriving on time I suggest you take the metro.
If you assure someone of something you are promising them that something will happen.
The doctor assured us that our son would recuperate completely.
To reassure is to comfort and make free from fear or worry.
The chairman tried to reassure the shareholders that they would benefit from the merger.