collins cobuild

What’s the difference between industrious and industrial?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused by learners of English: industrious and industrial. industrious An industrious person works very hard. She was industrious and always trying to improve herself. Michael was an intelligent, industrious man. industrial Use industrial to describe things related… Read More

What’s the difference between lucky and happy?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused by learners of English: lucky and happy. lucky You say that someone is lucky when something nice happens to them, or when they always seem to have good luck. The lucky winners were given… Read More

What’s the difference between high and tall?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused by learners of English: high and tall. high You use high to describe things which measure a larger distance than usual from the bottom to the top. For example, you talk about… Read More

What’s the difference between pair and couple?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused by learners of English: pair and couple. pair You use a pair of to talk about two things of the same size and shape that are used together, such as… Read More

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
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