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What's the difference? (1) - English lesson
These pairs of words look like each other a lot, some are even pronounced alike, others have the same meaning... If you haven't met and used them several times, you're likely to confuse one for the other and to make mistakes when using them...
Therefore, they are often sources of misunderstanding, and in most cases, sources of hesitation. Here, we'll study them under the headings: 'What's the difference?' and we'll do our best to clarify these differences.
I) ABOVE or OVER ? These two prepositions denote 'a higher position' in relation to something else.
🔹ABOVE indicates a higher level without implying contact, or signifies superiority or excess in quantity.
- She admired the picture above the fireplace.
🔹 OVER may imply contact, movement, or being directly superior to something; it's also often used with numerals.
- The thief jumped over the wall and ran away.
2) 'ADVERSE or A'VERSE? They're two adjectives.
🔹 'ADVERSE ( accent on the first syllable) refers to something harmful or unfavourable.
- This medication may cause adverse side effects.
🔹 A'VERSE: (accent on 2nd syllable) describes a reaction of avertion, repultion or opposition TO something.
- If you're not averse to waiting, I'll be ready soon.
3) ALL or WHOLE: the two words mean 'everything'! and that's where your worries are starting...
🔹 ALL is used to express the entirety of a quantity or a group of things or people,
It conveys the idea of a collective or a sum of parts.
- All these books are by Shakespeare.
🔹 WHOLE: denotes a single entity in its completeness, and insists on the undivided nature of something.
- I was so hungry that I could eat the whole chicken.
4) BEEN or GONE: they are both the past participles of the verb 'go' but mustn't be mistaken...
🔹 BEEN: indicates that someone has visited a place and returned.
(Complete journey)
- Yes, I've been to Norway. I went there in 2002.
🔹 GONE: implies that the person has left for a destination and has not yet returned.
(ongoing journey)
- 'Sorry, John's gone [has gone] and will be back tomorrow!'
5) BEGIN or START: they are often interchangeable.
🔹 BEGIN: indicates the initial point of a continuous action or the commencement
of a more formal or serious event.
- You should begin your homework as soon as you get home!
🔹START: is used for the initiation of an action or activity, and when operating machines or vehicles.
- The movie will start in five minutes!
6) AMOUNT or NUMBER?
🔹 AMOUNT: referring to a quantity of something that is not countable, often involving mass or bulk.
- To make this cake, put an equal amount of butter and chocolate.
🔹 NUMBER: used for things that are countable and can be assigned individual units or elements.
- Our house is number 105, next to the grocery.
This isn't too difficult, is it? Think well after each doubt, and you'll find without any problems ! Thanks for working with me! 
Intermediate
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