13 errors in the English language, which makes each of us

1. Lay and lie

This jewel of all the grammatical errors. And all because the words are similar and meaningfully, and in sound. Yet there are nuances. To lie translatedCambridge Dictionary: lie as a "lie," "positioned", "lie down."

• I love to lie down in front of the fire and read - I like to lie down next to the fireplace with a book.

But lie - irregular verb in the past tense, it becomes a lay.

• The town lay in ruins - The city lay in ruins.

And this form is spelled and pronounced the same way as an independent verbto lay. The basic meaning ofCambridge Dictionary: lay which - "laying".

• She laid the baby on the bed - She put the baby to bed.

In short, confusion, of course, utter, but if once a good grasp and remember to avoid the mistakes will be much easier.

2. Continual and continuous

These words may be called paronymsThey are written almost the same but differ in meaning. Continual applyCambridge Dictionary: continual to repetitive actions or events.

• I'm sorry, I can not work with these continual interruptions - Sorry, but I can not work like this, I was constantly interrupted.

And here sontinuousCambridge Dictionary: continuous - it is about something that lasts continuously.

• He spoke continuously for more than two hours - He did not stop talking for more than two hours.

3. Envy and jealous

The difference between these words even linguists do not always explain clearly. dictionaries they sayCambridge Dictionary: jealous, what jealous - is first and foremost about jealousy.

• In a moment of jealous frenzy, she cut the sleeves off all his shirts - In a fit of jealousy she carved up the sleeves of his shirt.

But the word has another meaning: "a shame due to the fact that someone has something to like yourself." In other words, envy. It is as "envy" is translatedCambridge Dictionary: envy and the second word, envy.

• He had always been very jealous of his brother's success - He was always very jealous of the success of his brother.
• Some of his colleagues envy the enormous wealth that he has amassed - Some colleagues are jealous of its impressive wealth.

So what's the difference? linguists recognizeJealous vs. Envious The words are often used as synonyms, but 'jealous' has more meaningsThat if we are talking about the envy, not jealousy, differences almost erased and those two words can be considered synonyms. although previously jealous meant more serious, terrible and dramatic degree of envy.

4. Fewer and less

Less usedCambridge Dictionary: lessWhen we are talking about something abstract and uncountable or do not mention the exact amount.

• I eat less chocolate and fewer biscuits than I used to - I eat less chocolate and cookies than usual.
• We must try to spend less money - We should try to spend less money.

Few and fewer the same can be safely consumedCambridge Dictionary: few where talk about specific numbers or something that can be counted accurately.

• Fewer than 3,500 tigers are left in the wild today - In the wild, now live no longer than three and a half thousand tigers.
• We received far fewer complaints than expected - We have received far fewer complaints than expected.

5. Disinterested and uninterested

It seems that both consoles - dis- and un- - indicate negation. And if so, then the value in words the same. But no. Disinterested translatedCambridge Dictionary: disinterested as "impartial".

• A disinterested observer / judgment - impartial observer / judge.

If we are to disinterest and indifference, more correctlyCambridge Dictionary: uninterested is to use an option uninterested.

• He's completely uninterested in sports - It is completely indifferent to the sport.

However, not all linguists in this matter are the same. The compilers of the dictionary Merriam-Webster, for example, believeDisinterested vs. Uninterested: Usage GuideThat these words can be synonymous.

6. Anxious and excited

In Russian, the word "worry" can be consumed not only in the negative ( "I'm terribly worried about you!"), But in a positive way ( "I was so excited when I received your letter!"). Perhaps this is why, when we We speak EnglishIn similar cases, we try to use anxious. But this word is translatedCambridge Dictionary: anxious as "anxious, worried, nervous'.

• It's natural that you should feel anxious when you first leave home - worried when I first left home, - is quite natural.

If you are happy to see friends, to tell them that you anxious to see themIt is wrong. Here is more appropriate excitedCambridge Dictionary: excited (Excited). Incidentally, the word anxious as appropriate, if we can not wait to do something or we are on to something much desire.

• I'm anxious to get home to open my presents - I can not wait to come home and open the presents.

7. Affect and effect

To cope with this dilemma, you can use a simple hint. Affect almost always a verb effect — noun. Affect can be translatedCambridge Dictionary: affect as "to influence, induce, lead to anything."

• Factors that affect sleep include stress and many medical conditions - factors affecting sleep include stress and different diseases.

EffectCambridge Dictionary: effect - is, in fact, the effect or the result of some processes or events.

• I'm suffering from the effects of too little sleep - I suffer from the effects of lack of sleep.

8. Among and between

Words are similar in meaning, but still are not synonymous. Between translatedCambridge Dictionary: between as "between."

• A narrow path runs between the two houses - Between the two buildings runs the narrow trail.
• The shop is closed for lunch between 12.30 and 1.30 - The store is closed for lunch on the first half of the second half.

Among as soon as isCambridge Dictionary: among "Among", "one".

• The decision will not be popular among students - Students (literally - "students"), this solution will not enjoy popularity.
• She divided the cake among the children - She shared the cake between the children.

If you talk about specific people or objects appropriate to speak betweenAnd if for indefinite or generalized - among.

9. Assure and ensure

It is clear that in both cases we are talking about faith, trust and reassurance. but as the words sound and are written almost the same, they are easy to confuse. And here it is important to remember that assure usedCambridge Dictionary: assureWhen we want someone in something to reassure or persuade.

• She assured them, that she would be all right - She assured them that everything will be fine with it.

And here ensureCambridge Dictionary: ensure appropriate to use when we want to do something to make sure.

• Please ensure that all examination papers have your name at the top - Please make sure that your exam papers are signed.

10. Then and than

Mistake these words is easy, but it is better not to do it, because then the proposal will be meaningless. Only one letter - and what is the difference in value! Then — adverbWhich translatesCambridge Dictionary: then as "if" and "then."

• She trained as a teacher and then became a lawyer - She studied to be a teacher, but then became a lawyer.

ThanCambridge Dictionary: than - an excuse, it is used for comparison.

• It cost less than I expected - It cost less than I thought.

11. Lose and loose

Here, too, is to blame almost the same spelling and pronunciation. The word "loser" perfectly familiar even to those who are not very good at English. Therefore, it seems that loseand loose - about failures and losses. But it is important to remember that lose meansCambridge Dictionary: lose "Lose", "missed", "play".

• I hope he does not lose his job - I hope he does not lose his job.

BUT loose translatedCambridge Dictionary: loose as "relaxed", "free", "unfastened".

• A loose dress / sweater - free dress / sweater.

12. A lot and the lot

There generally the only difference article. But in the English language, even it can significantly change the meaning of the word. Noun lot with the indefinite article a translatedCambridge Dictionary: lot as "a lot", "large number".

• I've got a lot to do this morning - This morning I had a lot to do.

Wherein the lot - British conversational element, which does not simply mean "a lot" and "all".

• I made enough curry for three people and he ate the lot - I made a curry for three, and he ate all alone.

13. Amount and number

Here the story is similar to fewer and less. Both words refer to the number, but amount usedCambridge Dictionary: amountWhen we are talking about something uncertain and incalculable, and numberAmount vs. Number: Usage Guide - when we talk about things or people who can count.

• The project will take a huge amount of time and money - This project will require a huge amount of time and money.
• A small number of children are educated at home - Houses studying a small number of children.

UPD. Text updated October 25, 2019.