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What's the difference? (2)
1st episode: test
There are still many "pairs" of words that look alike, or sound alike... The difference between the words of a pair may be very little, and they're not aiming at deceiving you, though they very often do! 
One of the only ways to avoid their traps is to learn the subtle nuances between the words of the pairs, and then, be very careful.
Come on! Let's go! 
1) ANXIOUS or EAGER: when expressing anticipation, the right adjective should be used in order to get the intended emotional nuance.
🔹ANXIOUS: describes a feeling of worry, nervosity, or discontent.
- I'm anxious about meeting my future boss tomorrow.
🔹 EAGER: expresses an enthusiastic desire to do something.
- Lucy is always eager to build models, especially of famous buildings. She loves it!
2) ARISE or RISE: are used in very different contexts.
🔹ARISE: means happening, when dealing with situations, occasions, or issues.
- I don't expect any issue to arise! Everything's ready.
🔹 RISE: refers to an upward movement (rising sun, a person rising)
- You should rise for the National Anthem.
3) AROUND or ROUND: they are often used interchangeably; they always describe enclosure or movement in a circular way.
🔹AROUND is used more in American English to express a circular circuit (concrete or metaphorical.
- They sat around the table and dealt the cards.
🔹 ROUND: it is more informal or colloquial, it is used in British English.
- He tied the ribbon round Mary's waist.
4) BACKWARD or BACKWARDS?
They can often lead to confusion but have distinct uses in English.
🔹 BACKWARD: it is used as an adjective describing a reverse direction or movement.
It's often used in American English.
- He went out of the room without even a backward look...
🔹BACKWARDS: as an adverb, it stresses the reverse direction of an action.
It is often prefered in British English.
- The child walked backwards to let the old lady come in.
5) BOARDER or BORDER:
They are pronounced in the same way, but have very different meanings.
🔹 BOARDER: a pupil who lives at school during term time.
- My brother is a boarder. He only comes home for weekends.
🔹 BORDER: the land that lies along the boundary line.
- The United States borders the South of Canada.
6) BORROW or LEND:
🔹 BORROW: to obtain something with the promise to return it.
- Could I please borrow a pen from you?
🔹 LEND (lent, lent) : to grant on condition that it is returned.
- He refused to lend me the money I needed to pay for a taxi...
👨🎓Not too difficult, was it? Ready for the test? Go for it !
Intermediate
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