Archive for the ‘Vocabulary’ Category

Words Commonly Confused

March 27th, 2010 in Vocabulary, Words

Alternately and alternatively

Alternate means ‘every second’ in turns.

We spend alternate weekends at our farm house.

Alternatively can mean ‘different’, ‘instead’ or ‘on the other hand’.

Besides, Except, Apart from; Big, Large, Great

March 24th, 2010 in Vocabulary, Words

Besides, except and apart from

Besides usually adds.

Besides mathematics, we learn physics and chemistry. (We study three subjects.)

Except usually subtracts.

Beat, Win; Begin, Start; Because, Because of; Beside, Besides

March 24th, 2010 in Vocabulary, Words

Beat and win

Both beat and win are irregular verbs.

Beat – beat – beaten
Win – won – won

Words Causing Confusion

March 23rd, 2010 in Vocabulary, Words

Another and other

Another means ‘an additional’ or ‘extra’. It is used with singular countable nouns.

Could I have another cup of coffee?

Other can be used with plural nouns.

Commonly Confused Words

March 21st, 2010 in Vocabulary, Words

All right and alright

Alright is common, but the standard spelling is all right.
Everything is going to be alright/all right.

Also, As well and Too

March 20th, 2010 in Vocabulary, Words

The adverbs also, as well and too have similar meanings, but they do not go in the same position in sentences.

Words Commonly Confused Part V

February 22nd, 2010 in Vocabulary, Words

Ceiling, sealing and roof

Ceiling is the inside top of a room.
This room has a low ceiling.

Sealing is the act of setting a seal.
Please, seal this box.