Today's blog post is all about false friends, which doesn't mean that I'm going to write about people who pretend to be nice to you! False friends are words that sound very similar in two languages but have different meanings. There are a lot of these between English and a variety of other languages, but I'll focus on those between English and Spanish. This is only a sample - there are plenty more!
We use actual to emphasise what is really true compared with a general idea, for example How do the actual figures compare with the predictions? We also often use the adverb actually, for example I've read a lot about Rome but I've never actually been there. Current, on the other hand, means that something is happening now, for example lots of people are interested in current affairs, or with the adverb, I'm currently publishing my new blog post.
Assist means to help, for example She assists her colleagues in planning events. Attend means to be present somewhere or at something, for example He attended all his English classes last term.
If you fell over in front of a lot of people, you might feel embarrassed. If you're expecting a baby, you're pregnant.
Somebody who is reasonable and practical is sensible, whereas a person who gets upset easily is sensitive. Some people have sensitive skin, which reacts easily to skin products.
If you have a cold and have difficulty breathing, you have a blocked nose. If you have difficulty going to the toilet, you're constipated.
A person who has been to university is educated, whereas a person who always says "please" and "thank you" is polite.
A carpet is a thick soft cover on the floor, while a folder is where you keep your well-organised English notes!
Can you think of any other false friends? Post them in the comments section below!
We use actual to emphasise what is really true compared with a general idea, for example How do the actual figures compare with the predictions? We also often use the adverb actually, for example I've read a lot about Rome but I've never actually been there. Current, on the other hand, means that something is happening now, for example lots of people are interested in current affairs, or with the adverb, I'm currently publishing my new blog post.
Assist means to help, for example She assists her colleagues in planning events. Attend means to be present somewhere or at something, for example He attended all his English classes last term.
If you fell over in front of a lot of people, you might feel embarrassed. If you're expecting a baby, you're pregnant.
Somebody who is reasonable and practical is sensible, whereas a person who gets upset easily is sensitive. Some people have sensitive skin, which reacts easily to skin products.
If you have a cold and have difficulty breathing, you have a blocked nose. If you have difficulty going to the toilet, you're constipated.
A person who has been to university is educated, whereas a person who always says "please" and "thank you" is polite.
A carpet is a thick soft cover on the floor, while a folder is where you keep your well-organised English notes!
Can you think of any other false friends? Post them in the comments section below!
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