1. A street is a road with houses on either side. We use street for roads in towns, but not for country roads. Cars can park on both sides of our street. Road is used for both town and country. Cars can park on both sides of our road. There’s a narrow winding road from [...]
look (at), watch and see
1. See is the ordinary word to say something ‘comes to our eyes’ Suddenly I saw something strange. Can you see me? Did you see the article about the strike in today’s paper? See in not used in progressive tenses with this meaning. When we want to say that we see something at the moment [...]
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 [...]
List S
sceptic or septic? A SCEPTIC is one who is inclined to doubt or question accepted truths. SEPTIC is an adjective meaning ‘infected by bacteria’ (a SEPTIC wound). It also describes the drainage system in country areas which uses bacteria to aid decomposition (SEPTIC drainage, a SEPTIC tank). seasonable or seasonal? SEASONABLE = normal for the [...]
still, yet, already
A. Still An hour ago it was raining. The rain hasn’t stopped It is still raining now. still = something is the same as before: I had a lot to eat but I’m still hungry. (= I was hungry before and I’m hungry now) ‘Did you sell your car?’ ‘No, I’ve still got it.’ ‘Do [...]
small and little
Small is used just to talk about size. It is opposite of large Could I have a small brandy, please. You’re too small to be a policeman. The adjective little is used to talk about size + emotion If we call something little, we usually have some sort of feeling about it- we like it, [...]
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. [...]
Talking: Say, Tell, Ask, Speak, Talk, Answer, Reply
Say (say/said/said) We use say when we report someone’s words. She said ‘This is horrible!’ He said that he wanted a drink. We use say when we ask about language. a: How do you say ‘book’ in Spanish? b: ‘Libro’. We say hello / goodbye please / thank you /Happy Birthday / Merry Christmas / [...]
