Similar English Words

Big vs Large

We are more likely to call a tall and thin building big than large.

Large is a bit more formal and stronger word than big and there are some cases we prefer large
over big or vice versa. Large also emphasizes 'big in more than one dimensions' area / volume.

We need a larger cup. (Need more volume)

We need a bigger knife.(No volume emphasized)

I wear large size clothing.

This is a large backyard. (big in length and width)
I've never seen such a big bear. (No emphasis on the bear's volume / area)

Note:

We can also use great with tangible nouns, however, it means “wonderful / important”

President Abraham Lincoln was a great leader who sought peacefulness, perhaps above all
else. (Great means important)
I bought a great car last week. (great means wonderful)

With intangible nouns (you cannot touch and see) we usually prefer great.

There was a great amount of involvement for the charity walk.

You really look great in that red dress.
Egyptians showed great respect for the Pharaohs.

Note:

We can also use big with abstract but countable nouns informally.

I know I made a big mistake, but I will make up for it.

We've got a big problem.
Lie

Lie is a verb and means to rest or recline and it does not require a direct object.

Base Form Past Tense Past Participle

Lie Lay Lain

I often lie down on the floor when my back aches.

I lie in bed everyday.

Lay

Lay is a verb meaning to place something down, and thus, it requires a direct object.

Base Form Past Tense Past Participle

Lay Laid Laid

I lay my suitcase on the table when I come home everyday.

Lay or Lie

We don't say "I lay down" in present tense.

When we say "Lay down Jack." we are telling others to put Jack down horizontally.
So we cannot say something like
"You are tired. Why don't you lay down?" (Lay down what?)

There must be something to lay down.

Lay yourself down. (awkward)

We say "Lie down Jack, you look tired."

Hint
Remember by thinking of the phrase "lay an egg". Birds lay their eggs (down).

Warning:

As you may have noticed, past tense of "to lie" is lay, that's one of the biggest reasons why we
confuse them. When used in past tense:

I lay down on the sofa when I went home yesterday. (past tense)
The verb used above is not "to lay", it's the past tense of "to lie".

Note:

Remember that "to lie" also has the meaning of making an untruthful statement intentionally.
Past and past participle of that "lie" is lied and lied which should not be confused with the "lie"
as in "lie down".

All vs Whole

1. The word order is different:

All + the + noun

The + whole + noun

I have read the whole book.

I have read all (of) the book.

2. We don’t use whole with uncountable nouns. It is mostly used with singular
countable nouns.

Anderson spilled all the water on his laptop. (not … the whole water)
The whole town burnt down in a big fire in 1886.

3. They both can be used with plural countable nouns, but with different
meanings.

All of the students failed in the exam. (every student)

I need to finish three whole books by the end of the week. (entire books)

4. Whole can be used after a possessive adjective, however, all must be used
 before a possessive adjective.

My whole life / all my life

My whole day / all my day

5. All has a meaning similar to every, but it is used with a plural noun.

Every student deserves a talented teacher.

All students deserve a talented teacher.

See

We start to see unintentionally when we open our eyes, It may not be deliberate, we just
see without any effort.

For example:

Can you see my house over the cliff?

Bats can see very well in the dark.
See you tomorrow.
You may not see much in dim light.

Look

Different from the action “see” we make a special effort when we try to see something.
It's an active verb.

For example:

Don't look at the sun with naked eye.

Look at me while I am speaking.
He looked at his watch and told me the time.
Don’t look at me like that, I didn't do anything wrong.

Watch

The verb “watch” is used when we look at something that moves or changes for a period of
time. It's a continuous action of looking and observing.
For example:

All day long I just watched TV yesterday.

I like watching the spectacular sun set every day.
Please be quiet, I am trying to watch the world cup series.
Do you like watching talk shows?

Watch a Movie vs See a Movie

We watched a movie yesterday.

This would imply we watched a movie at home (TV/DVD...)

We saw a movie yesterday.

This would imply that we did so by going to a movie theater. We can also explicitly say
that we went to the movie theater and watched Ice Age.

Dead

We use dead as an adjective.

I saw a dead bird lying in its cage.

As the battery is dead, we won’t be able to use the flashlight.

Died

It’s the past participle form of the verb die.

My grandfather died seven years ago.

Since the hurricane hit the city two days ago, 50 people died.
Tommy died in a plane crash last year.

Death

It is used as a noun meaning opposite of alive.

After his wife's death, he secluded himself in the desert of Arabia.

Accept
It means "to be in agreement" or "to admit to do something".

For example:

He accepted to sign the contract.

Having studied hard, Rebecca was accepted to the university.
The professor accepted to do a lecture about global development.
He accepted our invitation. (he said "yes" to our invitation offer)

Except

It means "to exclude something" not to include.

For example:

We all passed our class except Tom.

Everybody was willing to join the competition except Mary.
The teacher excepted the new student. (she didn't include him)

Expect

It means "to anticipate" or "to wait for something".

For Example:

Don’t expect miracles and do something!

I didn't expect to see you so soon.
They were expected to leave soon.

All Together

It's a phrase meaning "everyone or everything in the group".

For example:

• We all together gathered in the garden for the graduation ceremony.

• The teacher wanted us to solve the problem all together collectively.
• It’s time for us to work all together to prevent the spread of the disease.
Altogether

It's an adverb meaning "wholly, completely".

For example:

• The movie was altogether terrifying.

• What he said was altogether ridiculous.
• The total amount I spent on my vacation was more than a thousand dollars altogether.

Fit

It's a word referring to "dimension or shape", in other words, whether something is the right size
or not.

For example:

This shirt doesn't fit me, I need a bigger size.

That one fits me perfectly; it’s definitely the right size.
I think you have put on too much weight lately as your clothes don’t fit you anymore.
I hope this table will fit in our dining room.
Which size do you think fits me better?

Suit

It's a word referring to "style or matter of choice", in other words, whether something looks good
on someone or something or not.

For Example:

That skirt really suits her, she must put it on.

Dark colors don’t suit me well as I am a brunette.
This tie suits with your shirt better.
Our new carpet suited with our armchairs.

Note:

We can also use the word “suit” for arrangements.

Does 3 o’clock suit you?

4 would suit me better.

Effect

It is a noun meaning “outcome or result”.

For example:

The effects of the earthquake were overwhelming.

Before you make an important decision, always think about the possible effects of it.
Your advice had a tremendous effect on my decision.

Affect

It is a verb meaning “to change or to have an effect on”.

For example:

His success in management will affect our standing among the other departments.
The way she affected other students was admirable.
Your remarks have affected me a lot.

Advice

It is a noun meaning "proposal or recommendation".

For example:

I strongly need some good advice about studying abroad.

On your advice, I decided to go to Spain for a vacation.
If you take my advice, you will not regret it.

Note: Advice has irregular plural and is both singular and plural.
(Take an advice / Take many advice)

Advise

It is a verb meaning "to give advice or to recommend".

For example:

I advise you to buy this bracelet.

My counselor advised me to talk to professor Hardy.
One of my friends advised me to see this movie.

Comparisons of Similar Words

Advice (Noun) Advise (Verb)

Affect (Verb: Influence, noun: Effect (Verb: Bring about;

feeling) noun: results)

Altar (Noun: In a Church) Alter (Verb: To change)

Beside (Preposition: At the Besides (Conjunction: In

side of) addition to)

Cite (Noun: Mention) Site (Noun: Place)

Complement (Noun: Compliment (Noun &

Accessory, Verb: accompany) Verb: Praise)

Discreet (Adjective: Prudent) Discrete (Adjective:

Elicit (Verb: Draw forth)
Eminent (Adjective:
Prominent)
Envelop (Verb: Surround)
Forbear (Verb: Refrain)
Separate)
Illicit (Adjective: Illegal)
Imminent (Adjective:
Soon to occur)
Envelope (Noun: For
mailing)

Lightening (Adjective: Getting Forebear (Noun:

lighter) Ancestor)

Loath (Adjective: Reluctant) Lightning (In the sky)

Moral (Noun: Ethics Adjective: Loathe (Verb: Despise)

Ethical)
Morale (Noun: Spirits)
Passed (Verb: Preterit of
Pass) Past (Noun: History, Adj.:
Gone, Prep.: By)
Precede (Verb: Come before)
Proceed (Verb: Continue)
Principal (Adj.: 1st, main,
Noun: Leader, highest Principle (Noun: Rule)
authority)
Stationary (Adjective:
Motionless)
Than (Prep. & Conj. Used with
comparison)
Who's (Contraction of "Who
is")
Wreak (Verb: Damage)
E.G. (Abbreviation of example
(Latin root))
Stationery (Noun: Paper)
Then (Adverb: Used with
notions of time)
Whose (Pronoun,
Adjective, Possessive
Adj.)
Wreck (Noun:
Destruction)
Ex. (Abbreviation of
Example)