Notes on usage

Notes
Notes on
on usage
usage

In the dictionary you will find many notes on various aspects of usage in English.
These notes are listed below according to the type of note.

Which Word?
These notes show the differences between words that are often confused.
The word in bold shows you the entry where you can find the note.
above / over
actual / current / present
affect / effect
agenda / diary / schedule / timetable
almost / nearly / practically
alone / lonely / lone
also / as well / too
although / even though / though
altogether / all together
answer / reply
around / round / about
as / like
ashamed / embarrassed
awake / awaken / wake up / waken
back at the back / at the rear / behind
baggage / luggage
bath / bathe / swim / sunbathe
become / get / go / turn
begin / start
beside / besides
besides / apart from / except
big / large / great
blind / blindly
borrow / lend
calm / calmness
can / may
care take care of / look after / care for
cautious / careful
classic / classical
close / shut
compliment / complement
condition / state
continuous / continual
country / state
court / law court / court of law
deep / deeply
disabled / handicapped
distrust / mistrust
double / dual
economic / economical
electric / electrical
especially / specially
Oxford University Press

farther / further / farthest / furthest

fast / quick / rapid
firstly / first of all / at first
front in front of / in the front of
good / goodness
hard / hardly
hate / hatred
high / tall
historic / historical
infer / imply
interested / interesting / uninterested /
disinterested / uninteresting
last / take
lastly / at last
light / lighting
long (for) long / (for) a long time
loud / loudly / aloud
naked / bare
narrow / thin
near / close
next / nearest
noise / sound
old older / elder
partly / partially
peace / peacefulness
persuade / convince
quick / quickly / fast
quite / fairly / rather / pretty
regretfully / regrettably
right / rightly
rise / raise
say / tell
sensible / sensitive
shade / shadow
slow / slowly
storey / floor
surely / certainly
tight / tightly
used to / be used to
wide / broad
wrong / wrongly / wrongfully

These notes help you to choose more interesting and varied words to use and so
increase your vocabulary. The word in bold gives you the general area of meaning
of the note and shows you where to find it.
approximately ways of saying approximately
bad and very bad
a bar of chocolate
body actions expressing emotions
break verbs that mean break
cry verbs for ways of crying
do household jobs: do or make?
face expressions on your face
fat saying that somebody is fat
good and very good
hand verbs for ways of using your hands

laugh verbs for different ways of laughing

learn verbs for learning
nice and very nice
object nouns for objects you can use
piece words for pieces of things
rain and storms
smell adjectives and nouns
teach and teachers verbs and nouns
thin saying that somebody is thin
thing other words for thing
walk verbs for ways of walking

Grammar Point
These notes help make clear points of grammar that often cause problems.
The word in bold shows you the entry where you can find the note.
avenge / revenge
can / could / be able to / manage
dare
depend on
each / every
enjoy
fail / failure
half / whole / quarter
hardly / scarcely / barely / no sooner
if / whether
kind / sort
late / lately
likely
many / a lot of / lots of
modal verbs
much / a lot of / lots of
must / have (got) to / must not / dont have to

need
neither / either
none of
one / ones
per cent expressing percentages
proportion
school
shall / will
should / ought / had better
should / would
sit
staff
used to
very / very much
well
whom
wish

British/American
These notes explain differences between British and American usage.
The word in bold shows you the entry where you can find the note.
already / just / yet
bit a bit / a little
college / university
course / program
different from / to / than
floor
have have you got? / do you have?
holiday / vacation

hospital
inclusive / through
phone / call / ring
platform / track
post / mail
presently
rent / hire / let
rubbish / garbage / trash / refuse
Oxford University Press

Notes on usage

Vocabulary Building

Notes
Notes on
on usage
usage

school at /in school

sea / ocean

toilet / bathroom
underground / subway / metro / tube

More About
These notes give you more information about an aspect of life or language in Britain
and America and show you the correct words to use. The word in bold shows you
the topic of the note and the entry where you can find it.
American
British describing people from Britain
course ways of saying of course
exam words for exams and tests
gender ways of talking about men and women
hello greetings

lawyer words for different kinds of lawyer

meal
name names and titles
road
Scottish describing things from Scotland
student words for students at different levels
want offers and invitations

Synonyms
These notes show the differences between groups of words with similar meanings.
The words in each group are given order of frequency from the most common to
the least common. The word in bold shows you the entry where you can find the note.
action / measure / step / act / move
admit / acknowledge / recognize / concede /
confess
advertisement / publicity / ad / commercial /
promotion / trailer
afraid / frightened / scared / terrified / alarmed
/ paranoid
agree / accept / approve / go along with sb/sth /
consent
angry / mad / indignant / cross / irate
artificial / synthetic / false / man-made / fake /
imitation
ask / enquire / demand
basis / foundation / base
beat / batter / pound / lash / hammer
beautiful / pretty / handsome / attractive /
lovely / good-looking / gorgeous
bill / account / invoice / check
bitter / pungent / sour / acrid / sharp / acid
border / boundary / frontier
boring / dull / tedious
bottom / base / foundation / foot
bright / brilliant / vivid / vibrant
build / construct / assemble / erect / put sth up
building / property / premises / complex /
structure / block
burn / char / scald / scorch / singe
call / cry out / exclaim / blurt / burst out
campaign / battle / struggle / drive / war / fight
care / caution / prudence
Oxford University Press

certain / bound / sure / definite / guaranteed

cheap / competitive / budget / affordable /
reasonable / inexpensive
cheat / fool / deceive / betray / take in / trick /
con
check / examine / inspect / go over sth
choice / favourite / preference / selection / pick
choose / select / pick / decide / opt / go for
claim / allegation / assertion
clean / wash / rinse / cleanse / dry-clean
clear / obvious / apparent / evident / plain
clothes / clothing / garment / dress / wear /
gear
coast / beach / seaside / coastline / sand /
seashore
cold / cool / freezing / chilly / lukewarm / tepid
collect / gather / accumulate / amass
colour / shade / hue / tint / tinge
comment / note / remark / observe
complain / protest / object / grumble / moan /
whine
consist of sb /sth / comprise / make up sth /
constitute / be composed of sb/sth
costs / spending / expenditure / expenses /
overheads / outlay
country / landscape / countryside / terrain /
land / scenery
crash / slam / collide / smash / wreck
cut / slash / cut sth back / scale sth back /
rationalize / downsize

hide / conceal / cover / disguise / mask /

camouflage
hit / knock / bang / strike / bump / bash
hold / hold on / cling / clutch / grip / grasp /
clasp / hang on
honest / frank / direct / open / outspoken /
straight / blunt
hurt / ache / burn / sting / tingle / itch / throb
identify / know / recognize / name / make sb/
sth out
illness / sickness / ill health / trouble
imagine / think / see / envisage / envision
income / wage / wages / pay / salary / earnings
injure / wound / hurt / bruise / sprain / pull /
strain
intelligent / smart / clever / brilliant / bright
interest / hobby / game / pastime
interesting / fascinating / compelling /
stimulating / gripping / absorbing
interview / interrogation / audience /
consultation
job / position / post / vacancy / appointment
label / tag / sticker
land / lot / ground / space / plot
language / vocabulary / terms / wording /
terminology
lid / top / cork / cap / plug
like / love / be fond of / be keen on sth / adore
limit / restriction / control / constraint /
restraint / limitation
look / watch / see / view / observe
look / glance / gaze / stare / glimpse / glare
love / like / be fond of sb / adore / be devoted
to sb / care for sb / dote on sb
luck / chance / coincidence / accident / fate /
destiny
mad / crazy / nuts / batty / out of your mind /
(not) in your right mind
main / major / key / central / principal / chief /
prime
make / do / create / develop / produce /
generate / form
mark / stain / fingerprint / streak / speck / blot /
smear / spot
mentally ill / insane / neurotic / psychotic /
disturbed / unstable
mention / refer to sb/sth / speak / cite / quote
mistake / error / inaccuracy / slip / howler /
misprint
mix / stir / mingle / blend
money / cash / change
nervous / neurotic / on edge / jittery
Oxford University Press

Notes on usage

damage / hurt / harm / impair

declare / state / indicate / announce
demand / require / expect / insist / ask
difficult / hard / challenging / demanding /
taxing
dirty / dusty / filthy / muddy / soiled / grubby /
stained
discussion / conversation / dialogue / talk /
debate / consultation / chat / gossip
disease / illness / disorder / infection /
condition / ailment / bug
disgusting / foul / revolting / repulsive /
offensive / gross
economic / financial / commercial / monetary /
budgetary
election / vote / poll / referendum / ballot
entertainment / fun / recreation / relaxation /
play / pleasure / amusement
environment / setting / surroundings /
background
equipment / material / gear / kit / apparatus
essential / vital / crucial / critical / decisive /
indispensable
examine / analyse / review / study / discuss
example / case / instance / specimen /
illustration
excellent / outstanding / perfect / superb
excited / ecstatic / elated / euphoric /
rapturous / exhilarated
exciting / dramatic / heady / thrilling /
exhilarating
expensive / costly / overpriced / pricey
explode / blow up / go off / burst / erupt /
detonate
fabric / cloth / material / textile
factory / plant / mill / works / yard / workshop /
foundry
fear / terror / panic / alarm / fright
fight / clash / brawl / struggle / scuffle
floor / ground / land / earth
frighten / scare / alarm / terrify
fun / pleasure / (a) good time / enjoyment / (a)
great time
funny / amusing / entertaining / witty /
humorous / comic / hilarious
glad / happy / pleased / delighted / proud /
relieved / thrilled
great / cool / fantastic / fabulous / terrific /
brilliant / awesome
happy / satisfied / content / contented / joyful /
blissful
hate / dislike / cant stand / despise / cant bear /
loathe / detest

Notes
Notes on
on usage
usage

notice / note / detect / observe / witness

old / elderly / aged / long-lived / mature
option / choice / alternative / possibility
order / tell / instruct / direct / command
painful / sore / raw / inflamed / excruciating /
burning / itchy
patch / dot / mark / spot
payment / premium / contribution /
subscription / repayment / deposit / instalment
photograph / picture / photo / shot / snapshot /
snap / print
picture / painting / drawing / portrait / print /
sketch
place / site / area / position / point / location /
scene / spot / venue
plain / simple / stark / bare / unequivocal
pleasure / delight / joy / privilege / treat /
honour
poor / disadvantaged / needy / impoverished /
deprived / penniless / hard up
pressure / stress / tension / strain
price / cost / value / expense / worth
product / goods / commodity / merchandise /
produce
pull / drag / draw / haul / tow / tug
purpose / aim / intention / plan / point / idea
rate / charge / fee / rent / fine / fare / toll /
rental
reason / explanation / grounds / basis / excuse /
motive / justification / pretext
recommend / advise / advocate / urge
regard / call / find / consider / see / view
report / story / account / version
rest / break / respite / time out / breathing space
result / consequence / outcome / repercussion
return / come back / go back / get back / turn
back
rich / wealthy / prosperous / affluent / well off /
comfortable
right / correct
rude / cheeky / insolent / disrespectful /
impolite / impertinent / discourteous
satisfaction / happiness / pride / contentment /
fulfilment
satisfying / rewarding / pleasing / gratifying /
fulfilling
save / budget / economize / tighten your belt
save / rescue / bail out / redeem

Oxford University Press

see / spot / catch / glimpse

serious / grave / earnest / solemn
shine / gleam / glow / sparkle / glisten /
shimmer / glitter / twinkle / glint
shock / appal / horrify / disgust / sicken / repel
shout / yell / cry / scream / cheer / bellow /
raise your voice
sight / view / vision
sign / indication / symptom / symbol /
indicator / signal
sit / sit down / be seated / take a seat / perch
situation / circumstances / position /
conditions / things / the case / state of affairs
sleep / doze / nap / snooze
soil / mud / dust / clay / land / earth / dirt /
ground
speaker / communicator / gossip / talker
speech / lecture / address / talk / sermon
spoken / oral / vocal
stand / get up / stand up / rise / get to your feet /
be on your feet
stare / gaze / peer / glare
start / begin / start off / kick off / commence /
open
statement / comment / announcement /
remark / declaration / observation
stress / emphasize
structure / framework / form / composition /
construction / fabric
student / pupil / schoolboy /schoolchild /
schoolgirl
successful / profitable / commercial / lucrative /
economic
sure / confident / convinced / certain / positive /
clear
surprise / startle / amaze / stun / astonish /
take sb aback / astound
take / lead / escort / drive / show / walk / guide /
usher / direct
talk / discuss / speak / communicate / debate /
consult
target / objective / goal / object / end
task / duties / mission / job / chore
tax / duty / customs / tariff / rates
terrible / awful / horrible / dreadful / vile /
horrendous
thing / stuff / property / possessions / junk /
belongings / goods / valuables
think / believe / feel / reckon / be under the
impression

wet / moist / damp / soaked / drenched /

saturated
witness / observer / onlooker / passer-by /
bystander / eyewitness
wonderful / lovely / delightful
word / term / phrase / expression / idiom
work / employment / career / profession /
occupation / trade
worried / concerned / nervous / anxious /
uneasy
wrong / false / mistaken / incorrect /
inaccurate / misguided / untrue

Collocations
These notes show useful words and phrases connected with particular topics, and a
selection of verbs to use with those words and phrases. The word in bold shows you
the entry where you can find the note.
age The ages of life
art Fine arts
biotechnology Biotechnology
business Business
child Children
cinema Cinema /the movies
cooking Cooking
crime Crime
decorate Decorating and home improvement
diet Diet and exercise
driving Driving
economy The economy
education Education
email Email and the Internet
environment The environment
farming Farming
fashion Clothes and fashion
finance Finance
house Moving house
ill Illnesses
injury Injuries
international International relations

job Jobs
justice Criminal justice
life The living world
literature Literature
marriage Marriage and divorce
music Music
phone Phones
physical Physical appearance
politics Politics
race Race and immigration
religion Religion
restaurant Restaurants
scientific Scientific research
shopping Shopping
television Television
town Town and country
travel Travel and tourism
unemployment Unemployment
vote Voting in elections
war War and peace
weather The weather

Oxford University Press

Notes on usage

throw / toss / hurl / fling / chuck / lob / bowl /

pitch
trip / journey / tour / expedition / excursion /
outing / day out
true / right / correct
trust / depend on sb/sth / rely on sb/sth / count
on sb/sth / believe in sb
understand / see / get / follow / grasp /
comprehend
valuable / precious / priceless / irreplaceable
view / sight / scene / panorama
well / all right / OK / fine / healthy / strong / fit

Language Bank

Notes on usage

These notes show you how to express similar ideas in a variety of ways, particularly
in writing. The word in bold shows you the entry where you can find the note.
about Saying what a text is about
according to Reporting someones opinion
addition Adding another item
argue Verbs for reporting an opinion
because Explaining reasons
cause X causes Y
conclusion Summing up an argument
consequently Describing the effect of
something
contrast Highlighting differences
define Defining terms
e.g. Giving examples
emphasis Highlighting an important point
evidence Giving proof
except Making an exception
expect Discussing predictions
fall Describing a decrease
first Ordering your points

generally Ways of saying in general

however Ways of saying but
i.e. Explaining what you mean
illustrate Referring to a chart, graph or tb
impersonal Giving opinions using impersonal
language
increase Describing an increase
nevertheless Conceding a point and making a
counter-argument
opinion Giving your personal opinion
perhaps Making an opinion sound less
definite
process Describing a process
proportion Describing fractions and
proportions
similarly Making comparisons
surprising Highlighting interesting data
therefore Ways of saying For this reason
vital Saying that something is necessary

Express yourself
These notes help you find the right thing to say in everyday situations. The word in
bold shows you the entry where you can find the note.
advice Giving sb advice
agree Agreeing
certain Expressing certainty
or uncertainty
complaint Making a
complaint
concede Conceding a point
congratulate Congratulating
sb on an achievement or
family event
correct Correcting yourself
describe Describing a
picture
disagree Disagreeing
end Ending a conversation
explain Asking for
clarification
finish Wrapping up a
discussion
forbid Forbidding sb to do
sth

Oxford University Press

have to Asking about

obligation
help Asking for help
information Asking for
information
interrupt Interrupting
introduce Making
introductions
invite Inviting sb to sth
know Saying that you dont
know sth, giving yourself
time to think
likely Expressing likelihood
luck Wishing sb luck
message Leaving a phone
message
offer Offering sb sth
open Conversation openers
permission Asking for
permission/ a favour
please Asking for sth

prefer Expressing a
preference
shall Offering to do sth
question Dealing with
questions
recommend Asking for and
making a recommendation
sorry Apologizing
speculate Speculating
sympathy Expressing
sympathy
tell Telling sb to do sth
suggest Making suggestions
think Asking for sbs opinion
thank Thanking sb for sth
warn Warning people of
danger
why Giving reasons,
justifying a choice

able
accuse
ally
broad
care
clear
comfort
conceive
deceive
decide
deep
defy
deny
destroy
discreet
divide

explain
explode
fat
force
grateful
happy
high
inhabit
intend
long
marry
nature
perceive
pity
produce
pronounce

prove
rely
repeat
satisfaction
separate
speak
stable
strong
suspect
true
understand
value
vary
wide
wit

Wordfinder notes
Wordfinder notes help you to find words related in meaning to the headword.
accident
actor
adventure
advertise
age
aircraft
airport
ally
apply
army
atom
attack
baby
bank
behaviour
biology
birth
blonde
book
breed
businessman
buy
call
car
card
celebrate
character

charity
chemistry
city
climate
club
coast
comedy
command
company
competition
computer
concert
condition
conference
conflict
congress
construction
crisp
crop
cure
cycling
dance
deal
debate
democracy
dentist
dictionary

die
disaster
disease
doctor
document
drama
drug
earth
eat
electricity
employ
energy
equal
exam
examine
explore
expression
factory
family
farm
file
film
fishing
fit
freedom
friend
gambling
Oxford University Press

Notes on usage

Word Families

Notes
Notes on
on usage
usage

government
grammar
green
health
holiday
home
horse
hospital
hotel
hunt
hurt
image
industry
insurance
invest
journalist
journey
keyboard
king
landscape
language
law
liquid
loan
location
love
luck
make-up
map
maths
medicine
meeting
message
money
mountain
navy

Oxford University Press

newspaper
old
opera
operation
painting
parliament
pattern
pay
peace
performance
physics
plane
play
plot
poetry
police
poor
pregnant
prison
program
programme
pronunciation
protest
radio
rain
restaurant
river
road
science
sea
sew
shop
sing
sleep
snow
society

software
sorry
space
specialist
sport
stage
store
story
study
sun
swim
system
taste
theatre
tourist
trade
traffic
train
training
treatment
trend
trial
union
universe
university
waste
web
website
wedding
wind
word
work
write
young