Similar but Different
S
For is used to refer to a period of time.(minutes, days, years etc.)
I've been working on this project for 6 months.
Since is used to refer to a point in time when the period started.
I've been working on this project since October. (6 months ago)
It's ages since...
This is a common way to express the idea that we haven't done something,
or something hasn't happened in a long time.
It's ages since I went to the cinema. (I haven't been to the cinema in ages.)
The past simple affirmative is used even though the idea is negative.
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.
Say is nearly always transitive and cannot have a person as its object. Say can be used with the exact spoken words.
She said, "I can't help you." She said that she couldn't help me.
Tell is nearly always transitive and can have one object.
He told a lie. He told you a different story than he told me.
Tell can be used to give a command.
Tell me what you know about the merger.
Speak and talk are similar but talk refers more to a conversation rather than one person's statements.
We talked about our holidays for hours.
The doctor spoke to us about the test results.
Some animals can talk or say things but they are not capable of telling us anything!
On sale means offered to be sold especially in a shop.
On sale also means at a special discount price.
I bought my video camera on sale. It was 50% off the regular price.
For sale means offered to be sold especially by a private owner.
Did you see the "For Sale" sign outside Steve and Mary's house?
You steal things and you rob people or places.
I've been robbed! Someone stole my wallet!
Kidnap is to take someone away illegally and demand money for their safe return.
Hijack is to take control of, usually an aeroplane, for ransom or political reasons.
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!
Fit means the right size and shape.
I prefer to wear jeans because they always fit me well.
Suit means to satisfy or please.
This dress doesn't suit me. It makes me look old-fashioned.
Wages is payment made for work done; calculated by the hour, day or week.
At these wages we can only afford to have them clean the office once a week.
Salaries are usually paid once a month.
A fee is what you pay a professional for his or her services.
A chair is a piece of furniture for one person to sit on.
There were so many people at the meeting that we had to borrow some chairs from the cafeteria.
A seat is a place for sitting.
I always ask for a window seat when I fly.
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
Earth - Land - Ground - Soil - Floor
The earth is the planet we live on. The surface of this planet is called land when compared with the sea and earth when compared with the sky or space. If you want to build a house you need to purchase a piece of land. The substance in which plants grow is called soil or earth. The surface we walk on is called the ground unless, of course, we are in a building and then it's called the floor.
To stop to do something means to pause in order to do something else. To stop doing something means to not do it any more.
Jeremy stopped (watching TV) to help me give the dog a bath.
Jeremy stopped watching TV. He's decided to find better ways to spend his free time.