Similar words Flashcards
trite (adj)
treat (vtr)
trait (n)
/traɪt/
[expressed too often to be interesting or seem sincere]
- His lyrics about love and peace are too trite
/triːt/
[to behave towards someone or deal with something in a particular way]
- My parents treated us all the same when we were kids.
/treɪt/
[a particular characteristic that can produce a particular type of behaviour]
- Patience is one of his best traits.
course (n)
curse (n)
course
/kɔːrs/
- I’d like to take a writing course when I retire.
curse
/kɝːs/
- Noise is the curse of modern city life.
appointment
vs
arrangement
An appointment is used in a work context, where at least one party is a professional. For example, you might have an appointment at 3pm on Friday to see your doctor, dentist, lawyer, or hairdresser. Appointments are always at a specific time and are marked in a diary or appointment book. Appointments are similar to consultations.
A fixed arrangement is anything that two parties have agreed on. You might have a fixed arrangement to play tennis with your friend tomorrow morning. You might have booked a tennis court or you might not have done. But if both of you have agreed to do this, it can count as a fixed arrangement. This an arrangement, not an appointment.
start off
vs
start out
No difference, could be used interchangeably
[to begin by doing something, or to make something begin by doing something]
- She started off the meeting with the monthly sales report.
- I’d like to start off by thanking you all for coming today.
think
/
think of
“think” is a general verb that refers to the mental process of forming thoughts and opinions, while “think of” is a phrasal verb used to direct your thoughts towards someone or something.
- She thinks that studying is important.
- I went blank and couldn’t think of a single example.
quirks
/
foibles
while both “quirk” and “foibles” describe unique or peculiar characteristics, “quirk” refers to odd or distinctive behaviors, habits, or traits, while “foibles” denote minor weaknesses, flaws, or endearing eccentricities in a person’s character.
- Her quirk is that she always wears mismatched socks.
- She has a quirk of collecting vintage typewriters.
- One of his foibles is that he can never resist buying gadgets, even if he doesn’t really need them
- She has a foible of misplacing her keys on a regular basis.
paycheck
/
payroll
/
salary
/
wage
Paycheck: A paycheck refers to a specific payment made to an employee for a particular period of work, usually issued in the form of a physical or electronic check. It represents the amount of money earned by an individual for their work within a specific pay period, such as a week or a month.
- I received my paycheck today, and it was higher than I expected
Payroll: Payroll refers to the entire system or process of managing and processing employee compensation within a company or organization. It encompasses the calculation, distribution, and record-keeping of employee wages, salaries, deductions, and benefits.
- The company uses a software system to manage their payroll efficiently.
Salary: Salary refers to a fixed amount of money paid to an employee on a regular basis, often monthly or annually, regardless of the number of hours worked. It is typically associated with professional or managerial positions and is expressed as an annual figure (e.g., $50,000 per year).
- She accepted the job offer because the salary was higher than her current position
Wage: Wage refers to the payment made to an employee based on the number of hours worked or a specific rate. Wages are often paid to hourly workers or those who are paid on a per-task or per-hour basis. The amount is typically calculated by multiplying the hourly rate by the number of hours worked.
- Minimum wage in this region is $12 per hour.
spending
/
expense
“spending” refers to the general act of using money, while “expense” refers to a specific cost or amount of money incurred for a particular item or service. “Spending” encompasses the broader concept of financial transactions, while “expense” focuses on individual costs within that overall spending.
- She is careful about her spending and tries to save money each month
- She is careful about her spending and tries to save money each month
finish
/
finish with
“finish” refers to the overall completion of a task or activity, while “finish with” indicates completing a specific part or aspect within the larger context.
- I need to finish this report by the end of the day.
- I finished with the report, but I still need to finish editing the presentation slides.
talk something over
vs
talk something out
“Talk something over”:
This phrase means to have a discussion about something with someone, often to explore different perspectives or reach an agreement. It implies a more informal and collaborative approach to addressing an issue.
Example: “Let’s talk over the project proposal during the meeting tomorrow and see if we can come up with a better plan.”
“Talk something out”:
This phrase also means to discuss or resolve something through communication, but it often suggests a more in-depth and thorough conversation. It implies working through the details and potential solutions in a more structured manner.
Example: “They had to talk out their differences after the argument and find a way to move forward as a team.”
In general, both phrases emphasize the importance of open communication and working together to address a matter effectively. The choice between “talk something over” and “talk something out” may depend on the specific context and the level of depth or formality desired in the conversation.
right away
vs
right after
Right away” and “right after” are phrases that convey a sense of immediacy or promptness, but they are used in slightly different contexts:
Right Away:
Meaning: Immediately, without delay.
Example: “I’ll do it right away.” (This means the action will be done immediately.)
Right After:
Meaning: Immediately following a particular event or time.
Example: “I’ll call you right after the meeting.” (This means the call will happen immediately after the meeting concludes.)
In summary, while both phrases indicate prompt action, “right away” is more general and emphasizes immediate action, whereas “right after” specifies that the action will occur immediately after a particular event or point in time.
help vs help out
“Help” y “help out” son expresiones que comparten un significado similar, pero hay matices ligeramente diferentes en su uso.
Help:
"Help" por sí solo significa ayudar. Puede referirse a ofrecer asistencia, apoyo o colaboración en general.
Ejemplo: Can you help me with my homework? (¿Puedes ayudarme con mi tarea?)
Help out:
"Help out" también significa ayudar, pero a menudo se usa cuando se quiere destacar el acto de proporcionar ayuda de manera específica o cuando alguien contribuye de manera adicional o voluntaria.
Ejemplo: I'll help out with the cleaning after the party. (Voy a ayudar con la limpieza después de la fiesta.)
En resumen, “help” es más general y puede referirse a cualquier tipo de ayuda, mientras que “help out” a menudo implica una acción más específica o un acto adicional de asistencia. Ambos términos son intercambiables en muchos contextos, pero la elección puede depender del énfasis que se quiera dar a la acción de ayudar.
rough vs tough
“rough” often relates to uneven surfaces or challenging experiences, while “tough” is more associated with strength, durability, and difficulty in a broader sense. They are sometimes used interchangeably, but their usage can depend on the specific context.
- The wood had a rough texture
- The material of the bag was tough and could withstand a lot of wear and tear.
