learning english

What’s the difference between petrol and gas?

This week we are looking at some words which can be used differently in British and American English: petrol and gas. petrol In British English, the liquid that is used as fuel for vehicles is called petrol. I’m sorry I’m late. I had to stop for petrol. In American English, this fuel… Read More

What’s the difference between café and coffee?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused: café and coffee. café function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); } A café is a place where you can buy drinks and simple meals or snacks. In Britain, cafés often don’t sell alcoholic drinks. Café is sometimes spelled cafe. Is there an internet café near here? They’ve opened… Read More

What’s the difference between pants and shorts?

This week we are looking at some words that are used differently in British and American English: pants and shorts. pants function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); } In British English, pants are a piece of clothing that people wear as underwear under their other… Read More

What’s the difference between chef and chief?

This week we are looking at some words that some learners of English may find confusing: chef and chief. chef A chef is a cook in a hotel or restaurant. Her recipe was passed on to the chef. He works as a chef in a large… Read More

What’s the difference between braces and suspenders?

This week we are looking at some words that are used differently in British and American English: braces and suspenders. braces function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); } In British English, braces can refer to a pair of straps worn over the shoulders for… Read More

What’s the difference between street, road and lane?

This week we are looking at a few words that could be confusing for some learners of English: street, road, and lane. street A street is a road in a town or large village, usually with houses or other buildings… Read More

What’s the difference between cupboard, wardrobe and closet?

This week we are looking at some words which are sometimes confused: cupboard, wardrobe and closet. cupboard A cupboard is a piece of furniture with doors at the front and usually shelves inside. The kitchen cupboard is stocked with tins of soup. Read More

What’s the difference between receipt and recipe?

This week we are looking at two words which are easily confused: receipt and recipe. receipt function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); } A receipt is a piece of paper that confirms that money or goods have been received. We’ve got receipts for each thing we’ve bought. Read More

What’s the difference between cot, crib and camp bed?

This week we are looking at some words which could be confused as they are used differently in British and American English: cot, crib and camp bed. cot function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); } In British English, a cot is… Read More