Similar but Different

I

Opposite - In front of

Opposite means facing, on the other side of something.

In front of means before, the opposite of behind.

In front of also means the most forward part, the opposite of the back.

In my classroom the chairs are arranged in a circle. The teacher stands in the middle, so he is always in front of everybody.

John is on the other side of the room from me so we are exactly opposite each other.

Back

Wound - Injury

Both words refer to harm or damage to a person or animal but a wound is usually made intentionally and with a weapon.

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ED or ING

Adjectives ending in "ED" or "ING

The "ing" form is used for descriptions, usually expressed with the verb "ser".

The film is interesting, exciting, boring..

The "ed" form is used to express feelings, usually expressed with the verb "estar".

I am bored with, not interested in, excited about politics.

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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.

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Introduce - Insert

Introduce means to make known for the first time.

I was introduced to the new manager this morning.

Introduce means to bring in for the first time.

The company has introduced a no-smoking policy for the entire building.

Insert means to put or place something in something else.

You have to insert the coins in the slot before you can make your selection.

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