Questions tagged [difference]
This tag is for questions about the difference in meaning between certain phrases or sentences.
7
votes
2answers
1k views
“It doesn't matter” or “it won't matter”?
It doesn't matter.
It won't matter.
Where is correct? Still confused when I use it so tell me good people where is the correct what should I talk
2
votes
1answer
31 views
Blocked Vs obstructed
Which word is an appropriate choice below?
They are trying to clear roads blocked/obstructed by fallen trees.
The confusion is because, in the context, both word choices seem correct. Both means ...
1
vote
3answers
25 views
Why people say ‘a racehorse’ and ‘a racing car’?
A horse bred and trained for taking part in racing is termed a racehorse, while a car made for taking part in racing is called a racing car. Could anyone figure out any reason for this apparent ...
1
vote
1answer
22 views
Difference between (in/on/at) [duplicate]
Using the three prepositions (in/on/at) when their use is related to the word after them is very confusing to learners.
E.g. in these examples all the prepositions refer to a location:
The players ...
1
vote
3answers
20 views
Depict vs Express [on hold]
The artists wanted to express/depict real life, to paint straight from nature.
Depict seems more natural, but do we have a better explanation for why one and not the other?
1
vote
1answer
26 views
The way “you” can modify a sentence
Shut up you idiot!
Shut up idiot!
How does "you" affect the meaning of the first clause? Are they both formal ways of addressing?
1
vote
1answer
17 views
purposeful VS motivated
Let's suppose someone has a goal and they work on achieving that goal. Would it be idiomatic to say:
He is purposeful.
He is motivated.
Do these two phrases mean the same? If they don't, ...
0
votes
1answer
17 views
Is there any difference between “post under” and “post with”?
I was wondering if both meant the same thing, and if there's any difference between the two, what they were, because as I see it, it's pretty much the same thing. Saying "post under my real name" ...
0
votes
0answers
16 views
The differences between [closed]
What are the differences between: Homie, Fam, Chum, Pal, Mate, When do exactly use which? İf all means the same thing, which one hass the strongest meaning?
2
votes
1answer
47 views
on (the) Monday after next, article meaning?
I would like to know, whether:
It will take place on the Monday after next.
It will take place on Monday after next.
It will take place on the Monday after next week.
I have seen all ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
“They did not pay any attention” vs “They paid no attention”
I made two sentences:
1. "They did not pay any attention"
2. "They paid no attention"
Q1: Are they both correct?
Q2: What's the difference between these two sentences.
Q3: Which expression is ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
What is the difference between “shut” and “close”?
It is obvious that shut and close are very similar in meaning. However, while learning English as non-native (a long time ago) the teacher underlined that the two words are not identical in meaning.
...
3
votes
1answer
34 views
Is it “leave them to me” or “leave them with me”?
Leave your children with me, I know how to babysit.
Leave your children to me, I know how to babysit.
Which one of these sentences are grammatical? I am thinking that they are both pretty much ...
1
vote
2answers
36 views
Present simple vs past simple [closed]
If somebody call me,after hey hello,what should I say ,
1.what was the reason of your call?
OR
2. What is the reason of your call?
0
votes
3answers
26 views
“Obliged to do something” vs “obliged to doing something”
Tell me please the difference between the following sentences.
I am obliged to do the work.
I am obliged to doing the work.
1
vote
2answers
29 views
Can we give the answer to the present perfect question in past simple?
I saw this in a Cambridge conversation book:
A: Have you gone to school today?
B: Yes, I went to school today.
Can you please tell me why B answered in the Past Simple instead of the Present ...
0
votes
2answers
23 views
Difference have/go/were [closed]
I am trying to understand the difference between this three questions.
How many times have you been free?
How many times did you go free?
How many times were you free?
Can someone ...
0
votes
1answer
39 views
“Documents have been updated” VS “Documents are updated”
I've received an email titled "Documents have been updated" informing me that some changes were introduced in some our documents (no surprise here of course). But I'd like to know if there is any ...
0
votes
1answer
18 views
Difference between being and be
For example:
don't be aggressive
don't being aggressive
Could you tell me which one is used in which situation?
1
vote
1answer
36 views
“I haven't swum since” vs “I haven't been swimming since”
In the following text:
The last time I went swimming was when we were in Spain.
I haven't been swimming since we were in Spain.
Why is present perfect progressive tense used in the second ...
0
votes
3answers
48 views
“has written two essays this morning” vs “has been writing an essay all morning”
What is the difference in meaning between these sentences?
John has written two essays this morning.
John has been writing an essay all morning.
The police sergeant has interviewed two people ...
0
votes
3answers
38 views
What's the difference between “be up to” and “get up to”?
Recently, I know the Word "get up to".
It just means "do something."
But I still don't understand the difference between "be up to" and "get up to".
For example,
When I want to ask what you did ...
3
votes
2answers
67 views
Why was “dream of” used instead of “dream about” in this case?
“She lives in a large copper castle, surrounded by walls and towers. No one but the king himself can pass in or out, for there has been a prophecy that she will marry a common soldier, and the king ...
3
votes
3answers
75 views
What's the difference between “to remark” and “to remark on”?
The teacher remarked on how quickly the students were learnig.
The teacher remarked how quickly the students were learnig.
No1 is an example sentence of the verb "remark".
If no2 is correct in ...
1
vote
1answer
14 views
What is the difference between present perfect and past simple without referring time?
E.g a teacher asked to the students"what did you yerterday?"then one by one students answered the teacher.after that the teacher said" I baked cookies yesterday "" I brought the cookies for you" then ...
1
vote
1answer
40 views
What's the difference between “Here we go” and “Here/there it is”
About the difference between "Here we go" and "Here/there it is".
For example, my friend lost his wallet at my home.
I was finding his wallet, and found it on the table.
So when I found it, I said "...
0
votes
1answer
18 views
What is the difference between this and that while referring to an idea or situation or thing ,which is not present on the spot?
E.g when two persons are talking together, the most common communication are
1.that's good/nice/true
2.how will you find this man/how do you know this ?
IN BOTH THE SENTENCES THE SPEAKER RELATES THE ...
2
votes
0answers
28 views
What is the difference between these two characters? ` and ' [closed]
I cant figure out why
` and ' are different!
Sometimes I type ' and my sugggestions for Google say this: `
Please help, I am working on a story.
0
votes
1answer
42 views
What's the difference between “guarantee” and “ensure”?
We guarantee to deliver your goods within a week.
We ensure to deliver your goods within a week.
We guarantee that we deliver your goods within a week.
We ensure that we deliver your goods ...
10
votes
3answers
2k views
What's the difference between “belong TO me” and “belong WITH me”?
What's the difference between "belong to me" and "belong with me"?
For example:
"My darling, I'm very happy that you belong to me."
"My darling, I'm very happy that you belong with me." (one ...
1
vote
1answer
34 views
Difference in meaning: “He looked back at her.” and “He looked back out at her.”
I haven't understand, what difference in meaning:
"He looked back at her."
and
"He looked back out at her."
Thank for your meaning!
This phrase from the book (no ads!), some wider context:
...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
This and that difference
Are this and that both used to refer the thing/person/situation just mentioned or not?please help me in this or that.
E.g,
Two persons are talking about a man. That/this man is not on the spot. The ...
1
vote
1answer
30 views
Can I use “to verb” form instead of “that clause” form in this sentence?
Eating good food ensures that we stay healthy.
This is the example sentence of "ensure" in my dictionary.
I am curious if the sentence below is possible and have the same meaning.
Eating good ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
Can context change how a wish clause will be formed?
I know that for present wishes, I can say:
I wish I were young.
However, what if this is my “birthday” wish?
Could I say:
I wish I would be young.
to express I want this to happen somehow, like ...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
Difference between 'could have' and 'could have been'
E.g. First one is:
The incident could have happened.
And the second one is:
The incident could have been happened.
What is the difference in terms of their meaning? Or is there any grammatical ...
2
votes
1answer
26 views
If golden describes something that has the appearance of gold, why “golden paper” sounds odd? [duplicate]
I am trying hard to understand how to properly determine the difference.
A gold watch. --A watch that is made of gold
A golden watch --A watch that looks like and could be made of gold
But why then ...
1
vote
1answer
16 views
“a little” with a countable noun? An example from a dictionary
I was looking into the difference between the countable and uncountable versions of the word "sleep" in the Cambridge dictionary online:
[COUNTABLE] a period of sleeping:
(UK) You must be ...
0
votes
1answer
14 views
What is the difference between the two?
They are talking on the issue.
They are talking over the issue.
They felt concern over the matter.
They felt concern on the matter.
I get to hear both types of sentences.please tell me difference ...
1
vote
1answer
23 views
What's the difference between “to verb” and “verb ing”?
It's good judgment to recycle your aluminum cans.
To recycle your aluminum cans is good judgment.
Recycling your aluminum cans is good judgment.
The #1 is the example sentence of "recycle" in ...
0
votes
1answer
11 views
Would have never VS have/had never
What's the difference between "I would've never believed that he would win that match" VS "I had/have never believed that he would win that match"
1
vote
1answer
39 views
What is the difference between the two sentences?
The food gets cooked.
The food is cooked.
I get to hear both of the sentences. Are they same or different. Please explain, Sir.
1
vote
1answer
22 views
The use of the prepositions “in” and “after” in terms of time
Tell me please if there is any difference in meaning between the following sentences.
I will do the work after an hour.
I will do the work in an hour.
I cannot see any difference in meaning. ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
what is the difference between “take out an attempt” and “make an attempt”?
Here is the piece of text where I happened upon the phrase take out an attempt:
To that end, there must be a reduction in both volume and intensity starting about 10 days out from the competition. ...
2
votes
1answer
25 views
What's the difference between “doing my homework” and “to do my homework”?
Suddenly I got a question studying participle.
I spent too much time yesterday doing my homework.
I spent too much time yesterday to do my homework.
Is no.2 grammatically correct?
If so, ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
Why can't “could” be used with action verbs in the past tense?
But you should only use ‘was/were able to’ with action verbs to talk about an ability related to a single event or incident in the past.
Examples:
I was able to surprise my teacher yesterday.
...
1
vote
1answer
32 views
I will give you that vs I have to hand it to you
In the last episode of the Vikings, one of the characters said:
You are smart. I will give you that.
But would it not be more suitable "I have to hand it to you"? I thought that "I will give you ...
3
votes
1answer
44 views
Can “could” be used in the past tense sentences without past verb clauses?
He used a microphone, so everyone could hear his voice.
This is an example sentence of "voice" in my dictionary.
I've heard that "could" is not the past tense of "can", so in the past tense, the ...
0
votes
0answers
20 views
Either in a negative sentence example
There are two populations of adults in a study:
..it is not apparent in adults of either population..
If I understand that correctly, this would be the same (but I guess it sounds a bit off:
is ...
3
votes
1answer
163 views
Where DID you come from?/Where HAVE you come from? [closed]
Is there any difference between these 2 questions or both of them mean the same thing? How one should respond at each of them? Many thanks!
0
votes
1answer
22 views
difference between she/he is IN and she/he is AT (a country)
I'm confused whether I should be saying:
He's in Japan.
He's at Japan.
They both sound alright to me but I'm wondering which one is more grammatically correct.
