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To suit or To fit

Once again, we're going to make a difference between two verbs which are translated by the same expression in French, though there are some important different nuances expressed by each of them. English will use two verbs corresponding to these different meanings: FIT and SUIT.

When someone is trying clothes on, you may say, or think that the clothes are right for them - or not!  You may be expressing opinions about the size of the clothes (or object)(=to FIT), or about its style, its shape, its colour, etc. ( =to SUIT) 

I) TO FIT: refers to size and shape. The item, or object is neither too small, nor too big. It's neither too tight, nor too big/ baggy/ or loose. It's just perfect, or right. ("to fit" or to fit into a place/ to fit between two pieces of furniture.)

- This dress doesn't fit: Do you have a smaller size, please? 

- Look! This new bookcase perfectly fits between the radiator and your table. 

                       Both shirt and trousers are tight.                                              Too short/ too small/ too tight

                              Too big/ loose...                                                               Baggy/ loose => fitting                                                       

* A person who's "fit"  is in good health, able to make special efforts or reach performances. 

- After his accident, Derek is now fit (to compete) and can enter the tournament. 

* This person may " be fit", be competent for a job. 

- After his past job experience in education, he'll be perfectly fit for this coaching position. 

* Idioms: 

                     To fit like a glove= to be perfect for someone                                          To be as fit as a fiddle

                                                                                                                                        = To be in great shape

II) TO SUIT:    means that the style or the colour of something "is right", or is convenient for someone, or a situation, making them more attractive, "nicer", more stylish. 

- That new sofa really suits your sitting room, it's quite big and its colour matches the tiles. Wonderful! 

- As you like simple family food, this restaurant will really suit you. I can recommend it warmly. 

* SUIT is also used to say whether arrangements are convenient: 

- "Yes, an appointment on Tuesday suits me very well, thank you!"

- Mini skirts don't suit Sara! Her legs are too thin... 

* Idioms: 

In your birthday suit   = naked (Adam's suit - in French)	A penguin suit = a tuxedo	To follow suit            = Follow the crowd
The four suits: diamonds/           clubs/ hearts/  spades	A tree suit= a coffin/ a casket	To suit oneself      = Do whatever you fancy!

Here you are! You should now be able to choose between the two verbs quite easily! Good luck and courage for the test! The FORCE is with you!  

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1. ' I’m suit tofit tosuit forfit forI don't know resume work, now? ' ' I should think so, after such a long sick leave. '


2. Come on Lucy! Put on your new trousers... I know you love your old ones, but they no longer fitsuitfittingsuitingI don't know. You’ve outgrown them.


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5. When she came to open the door, she was in her penguin suitglove fittree suitbirthday suitI don't know, which surprised me and shocked me...


6. ' Does this suitcase suitsfitfitingsuitI don't know your present needs, or would you rather take a bigger one? '


7. 'Oh Samantha, my dress really suits yourselffits yourselffits yousuit yourselfI don't know. Your friends will never suspect it isn’t yours to start with...'



8. My new fridge won’t suit itselfsuits youfit forfit inI don't know my old kitchen. We will have our kitchen remodeled.



9. A ' joker ' is a special card that belongs to no suitingfiddletree suitsuitI don't know. You can play it whenever you want.



10. 'Do you think he’s fit yourselffit forsuit yourselfsuitfit toI don't know the job?' 'Of course, he is... He’s both excellent and has fully recovered from his illness. He’ll be great.'