Wide is used for the physical distance from one side of something to the other. We live in a very wide street. The car’s too wide for the garage. Broad is mostly used in abstract expressions. broad agreement ( = agreement on most points) broad-minded ( = tolerant) broad daylight ( = full, bright daylight) [...]
borrow and lend
borrow something from somebody lend something to somebody lend somebody something Borrow is like take. You borrow something from somebody I borrowed a pound from my son. Can I borrow your bicycle? Lend is like give. You lend something to somebody, or lend somebody something. (the meaning is the same) I lent my coat to [...]
but – except
1. We use but to mean except after all, every, any, no and everything, everybody, nothing, nobody, anywhere etc) He eats nothing but hamburgers Everybody‘s here but George I’ve finished all the jobs but one. We usually use object pronouns (me, him etc) after but. Nobody but her would do a think like that. 2. [...]
Because – because of
clause + because + clause because + clause, + clause because of + noun/ pronoun 1. Because is a conjunction. It joins two clauses together. I was worried because Mary was late Because I was tired, I went home 2. Because of is a preposition (used before a noun or a pronoun) I was late [...]
begin – start
1. There is not usually any difference between begin and start I started/began teaching when I was twenty- two If John doesn’t come soon,, let’s start/began without him We prefer start when we talk about an activity that happens regularly, with “stops and starts” It’s starting to rain. What time do you start teaching tomorrow [...]
Get – Go – Turn – Become
Get is a very common verb in English, but it is not always appropriate for talking about changes. Note also alternatives to get which can improve your style. Go, not get Go is used for changes in people’s personality, appearance and physical abilities: People go mad/bald/grey/blind/deaf. Go is often used for sudden, usually negative, changes: [...]
List B
bath or bathe? Use these exemplar sentences as a guide: Ihavea BATH every morning (= I have a wash in the bath). I BATH thebabyeveryday(=washina bath). I have had a new BATH fitted. We BATHE every day (= swim). BATHE the wound with disinfectant (= cleanse). We have a BATHE whenever we can (= a [...]
In the way, On the way, By the way, In a way
In the way: Please move this chair. It is in the way. Do your work in the way I have shown you. On the way: On the way to the station, I bought some cigarettes. In this way: He saves old envelopes. In this way, he has collected a great many stamps. By the way: [...]
By, until; By the time
By (+ a time) = not later than: I sent the letter to them today, so they should receive it by Monday. (= on or before Monday, not later than Monday) We’d better hurry. We have to be home by 5 o’clock. (= at or before 5 o’clock, not later than 5 o’clock) Where’s Sarah? [...]
for, since, from , ago and before
1. For, since and from ‘point forwards’ in time Ago and before ‘point backwards’ in time. 2. We use for to say how long something lasts for + period of time I once studied the guitar for three years That house has been empty for six weeks We go away for three weeks every summer. [...]
