learning english

What’s the difference between marmalade, jam, jelly and Jell-O®?

This week we are looking at some words which are used differently in British and American English: marmalade, jam, jelly and Jell-O®. marmalade function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); } Marmalade is a sweet food… Read More

What’s the difference between salad and lettuce?

This week we are looking at two words which are commonly confused: salad and lettuce. salad function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); } A salad is a mixture of cold or uncooked vegetables. You can eat it on its own or with other foods. For… Read More

What’s the difference between homework and housework?

This week we are looking at two words which are commonly confused because of their similar spellings: homework and housework. homework function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); } Homework is work that school pupils are given to do at home. You say that pupils ‘… Read More

What’s the difference between desert and dessert?

This week we are looking at two words which are commonly confused because of their similar spellings: desert and dessert. desert Desert can be both a noun and a verb. As a noun: A desert is a large area of land where… Read More

What’s the difference between shadow and shade?

This week we are looking at two words which are commonly confused: shadow and shade. shadow function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); } A shadow is a dark shape made on a surface when something stands between a light and the surface. The tree cast… Read More

What’s the difference between a library and bookshop?

This week we are looking at different buildings associated with books: library and bookshop or bookstore. library function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); } A library is a building where books are kept that people can look at or borrow. You… Read More

What’s the difference between cup, mug and glass?

This week we are looking at the different containers that you can drink out of: cup, mug and glass cup function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); } A cup is a small, round container, usually with a handle, from which you… Read More

Commonly Confused Words

When two words are confused for one another the results can sometimes be comical, for example when affluent is confused with effluent or desert with dessert. On other occasions mix-ups between commonly confused words can result in a situation that isn’t so funny, for example… Read More