confusing words

What’s the difference between CAN, COULD, and ABLE TO?

in Confusing Words, Grammar

In the present: “Can” and “able to” are the same in the present tense: Yes, I can take on this project. Yes, I‘m able to take on this project. The negative forms are can’t and am not / is not / are not able to. In the past: We use “could/couldn’t” or “was/wasn’t able to.” In general, both are used [...]

Who or Whom?

in Confusing Words

Who is the SUBJECT of the verb. The subject performs the action: Who ate the last piece of pizza? who = subject ate = verb The students who failed the test will need extra help. the students / who = subject failed = verb Whom is the OBJECT of the verb. The object receives the [...]

Lay or Lie?

in Confusing Words

Both of these words refer to the action of putting something down on a surface, or an object/person/animal resting on a surface. However, lay has a direct object and lie does not. A direct object is the thing that “receives” the action of the verb. So when you put your body horizontally on the bed [...]

Then or Than?

in Confusing Words

Than is used in comparatives: I’m older than my brother. A car is faster than a bicycle. I learned more from my parents than I learned from my teachers. Then is used in several ways: To describe the next event in a sequence To mean “at that time” To mean “in that case” First we [...]

Wander or Wonder?

in Confusing Words

These are two completely different words, but sometimes students confuse them because of their similar spelling and pronunciation. Wander is a physical activity. It means to move around (usually walking) without a specific destination or purpose: On the first day of my trip, I spent a couple hours wandering around the city. We wandered through [...]

Confusing Words in English – Wish and Hope

in Confusing Words

How to use the English word WISH The word wish is usually used for hypothetical (imagined) situations, when you want something in the present or past to be different. When you’re wishing a present situation was different, use wish + simple past: I live near the beach, but I wish I lived near the mountains.. [...]

English prepositions after the verb THINK

in Confusing Words

Think about / Think of The two most common prepositions used after the verb “think” are “about” and “of.” They are very similar, but there is a small difference. Usually when you “think of something,” it is a brief moment – just a few seconds. It is also used for opinions. When you “think about [...]

12345678