Posts tagged confusing words
English Vocabulary Lesson: Fun Vs Funny
Mar 30th
My friend Ed is a funny guy!
I went to a party last night with some of my friends from high school. The party was really fun. My friend Ed is a funny guy, and he always makes us laugh. Having fun and enjoying yourself is important, and good for your health. It helps to have funny people around you, too. Some of my students have told me that I am funny. I think they may be right!
The words fun and funny can be confusing sometimes. Do you know how to use these words? Read the paragraph above once more and then check today’s lesson:
Fun means enjoyable, so something that is fun is enjoyable. You can say that [something] is fun, or [someone] has fun. Here are some examples:
- The party last night was really fun.
- Going to the top of the Empire State Building is fun. You should try it!
- Having fun and enjoying yourself is important.
- I had fun at the party last night.
You can also use fun before a noun, like this:
- I went to a fun party last night.
- New York is a fun city!
Funny means something makes you laugh. So if you experience something funny, you will probably laugh. You can say that [something] or [someone] is funny. Here are some examples:
- My friend Ed is funny.
- Some of my students have told me that I am funny.
- That story was funny.
You can also use funny before a noun, like this:
- My friend Ed is a funny guy.
- He told us a funny story.
I hope you fund my lessons here fun (and sometimes funny)! Thanks for studying today. Leave a comment about your fun or funny situation!
How about studying English with me? I am available for private English lessons in New York, and online via Skype. Also, check out my newest book & audio podcasts, 109 Phrasal Verbs
English Vocabulary Lesson: Sign Vs. Signature
Mar 28th
Can I have your signature? Please sign here.
When I applied for my driver’s license, I needed to fill out the application form. Then, I brought the document to the window. The clerk said he needed my signature at the bottom of the form. So I had to sign my name. Then he gave me a second document to sign. I didn’t realize they needed my signature in so many places!
The words sign and signature can be confusing sometimes. Do you know how to use these words? Read the paragraph above once more and then check today’s lesson:
Signature is a noun, and generally means your name written in cursive script. You can write your signature, give your signature, or put your signature, like this:
- Please write your signature on this form.
- Can you please give me your signature here?
- You need to put your signature on every document you approve in this office.
Sign is used a verb and means to write your signature. We general use sign with name, as in sign your name. Here are some examples:
- Please sign this form.
- Can you please sign your name here?
- You need to sign ever document you approve in this office.
We also have a slang way of asking for your signature. Someone might ask you, “Can I have your John Hancock?” John Hancock was one of the founding fathers of the USA, and was famous for his large, signature. So your “John Hancock” is your signature!
So, sign is the verb and signature is the noun. Keep in mind too that as a noun, sign means placard or public notice, like a stop sign, or road sign, or a sign in a shop window.
Have you signed something important recently? Why not leave a comment below and let us know. Thanks for studying today!
How about studying English with me? I am available for private English lessons in New York, and online via Skype. Also, check out my newest book & audio podcasts, 109 Phrasal Verbs
English Lesson: Stop Doing Vs. Stop to Do
Mar 27th
She stopped smoking, after she stopped to smoke!
Do you smoke? I stopped smoking when I was in my mid-twenties, and I am glad I did. I used to stop to have a cigarette several times during the day. Now, when I walk by buildings in NYC, I can see lots of people outside who stop to smoke. These days my bad habit is drinking coffee. I often stop to have a coffee during the day. My doctor recently told me I should stop drinking coffee, but it is hard to do.
The word stop followed by an ing verb (gerund) and the stop followed by to + verb (infinitive) has two completely different meanings. Do you know the difference? Have a look at the paragraph above, and then check today’s lesson.
Stop + gerund (verb ing)
When you use stop followed by a gerund (verb ing), the meaning is “quit” or “finish.” For example:
- I stopped smoking when I was in my mid-twenties. I quit smoking.
- My doctor recently told me I should stop drinking coffee. I should quit drinking coffee.
- I stopped working at 8pm last night. I finished working at 8pm.
- Joe stopped playing X-BOX after 10 hours! He finished playing the game.
When you use stop followed by an infinitive (to + verb) the meaning is “take a break to do something.” For example:
- She stopped to smoke. She was doing something, then she took a break so that she could smoke.
- This morning in the office, I stopped to call my sister. I stopped working to phone my sister.
- I often stop to drink a coffee during the day. I often take a break and drink coffee.
- During the road to Boston, I stopped to have lunch. I took a break from driving to eat lunch.
Have you stopped doing something recently? Did you stop to read this lesson? Thanks for studying today. Please feel free to leave a comment any time!
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