Learning English

What’s the difference between lay and lie?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused by learners of English: lay and lie. lay Lay is a transitive verb, and it is also a past tense of another verb, ‘lie’. To lay something somewhere means to put it there carefully… Read More

What’s the difference between floor and ground?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused by learners of English: floor and ground. floor The floor of a room is the flat part you walk on. The book fell to the floor. They were sitting on the floor. A floor of… Read More

What’s the difference between habit and custom?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused by learners of English: habit and custom. habit A habit is something that a person does often or regularly. He had a nervous habit of biting his nails. Try to get out of the habit of… Read More

What’s the difference between discussion and argument?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused by learners of English: discussion and argument . discussion If you have a discussion with someone, you have a serious conversation with them. After the lecture there was a lively discussion. You say… Read More

What’s the difference between experience and experiment?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused by learners of English: experience and experiment . experience An experience is something that happens to you or something that you do. Moving house can be a stressful experience. If you have experience of something,… Read More

What’s the difference between concerto and concert?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused by learners of English: concerto and concert . concerto A concerto is a piece of classical music written for one or more solo instruments and an orchestra. …Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. concert A performance… Read More

What’s the difference between complement and compliment?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused by learners of English: complement and compliment . complement Complement can be used as a verb and a noun. If one thing complements another, the two things increase each other’s good qualities… Read More

What’s the difference between childish and childlike?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused by learners of English: childish and childlike. childish You say that someone is childish if you think they are behaving in a silly or immature way. Don’t be so childish. We were shocked… Read More
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