COBUILD

What’s the difference between concerto and concert?

10th Apr 2023

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?

3rd Apr 2023

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 clothes, clothing and cloth?

27th Mar 2023

This week we are looking at three words which are sometimes confused by learners of English: clothes, clothing and cloth. clothes Clothes is a plural noun meaning the things you wear, such as shirts, trousers, dresses, and coats. I… Read More

What’s the difference between childish and childlike?

20th Mar 2023

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

What’s the difference between bear and bare?

13th Mar 2023

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused: bear and bare. bear Bear can be a noun or a verb. A bear is a large, strong wild animal with thick fur and sharp claws. The bear stood on its hind legs. If you bear a… Read More

What’s the difference between careful, careless and carefree?

6th Mar 2023

This week we are looking at a few words that could be confusing for some learners of English: careful, careless, and carefree. careful If you are careful, you do something with a lot of attention. She told me to be careful with… Read More

National Grammar Day

4th Mar 2023

Saturday 4 March marks National Grammar Day (henceforth, for brevity, NGD). Time to move into top grammar gear. Are you a tad hazy about the difference between a conjunction and a preposition? And what exactly are parts of… Read More

What’s the difference between aloud and loudly?

27th Feb 2023

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused: aloud and loudly. aloud If you read aloud a book or apiece of writing, you say the words while you are reading them. She read aloud to us from the newspaper. If you think… Read More

What’s the difference between alone and lonely?

20th Feb 2023

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused: alone and lonely. alone If you are alone, you are not with any other people. I wanted to be alone. Lucy spends most of her time alone in the flat. Make sure that you… Read More