This unit looks at words which are easy to mix up.
A. Similar sounds
quite /kwaɪt/ / quiet /ˈkwaɪət/
This book is quite good. bad &arr; quite good &arr; good
My bedroom is very quiet [silent].
lose /luːz/ loose /luːs/
A: Why do I always lose my keys!
B: Here they are.
A: Oh, thank you!
If you lose something, you do not know where it is / you can’t find it.
These trousers are very loose. (loose means they are not tight, because they are too big)
fell / felt
Fell is the past of fall.
Yesterday I fell and broke my arm.
Felt is the past of feel.
I felt ill yesterday, but I feel OK today.
cook / cooker
He is a very good cook [the person who cooks].
This cooker costs £500. [the thing you cook on]
B. Similar or related meanings
lend / borrow
If you lend something, you give it.
If you borrow something, you get it.
Sam wants a bicycle:
SAM: Will you lend me your bicycle? (= you give it to me for one day / an hour, etc.)
or Can I borrow your bicycle? (= I get it from you)
RITA: Yes, take it.
SAM: Thanks.
check / control
The passport officer checked my passport. [looked at it]
We use the mouse to control the computer. [tell it what to do]
C. Other words often mixed up
They’re waiting for the bus.
I hope I pass my exams. [I really want to pass]
I haven’t studied; I expect I’ll fail my exams. [it’s probable]
In English the afternoon is from about 12 o’clock till 5 or 6 pm.
The evening is from 5 or 6 pm until about 9 or 10 pm.
After 9 or 10 pm it is the night.
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