what's the difference Archives

Suggestions, Recommendations, and Proposals: What’s the difference?

Suggestions, recommendations, and Proposals: What’s the difference? Similarities Suggestions, recommendations, and proposals are all used to share an idea. For example, my company bought some new computers and … I suggest / recommend / propose we train the staff to use these new PCs. Differences “Suggest” and “recommend” are often used the same way to …

Suggestions, Recommendations, and Proposals: What’s the difference? Read More »

What’s the difference between overtime and overwork?

What’s the difference between overtime and overwork? Overtime is a noun. It means extra time a person works. In casual English, we sometimes say OT. Ex: I usually finish work at five o’clock. Yesterday, I did two hours of OT. (I finished work at seven o’clock.) Ex: When we work overtime, we get paid time and a …

What’s the difference between overtime and overwork? Read More »

What’s the difference between farther and further?

Farther and Further What’s the difference between farther and further and how do you use them? Many native speakers mix these words up. Why? Because they usually, but not always, mean exactly the same thing. Let’s look at the similarities first. 1. Similarities – they both mean “more far” in space or time adverb • The dog kept …

What’s the difference between farther and further? Read More »

Is it Year’s Experience or Years’ Experience?

Year’s Experience vs Years’ Experience Is it “year’s experience” or “years’ experience”? This is a simple grammar point that a LOT of people ask about, including native speakers! These words are easy to mix up, especially if you are typing fast or using text to speech. If you are writing for work or business, it’s a …

Is it Year’s Experience or Years’ Experience? Read More »

What’s the difference between every day and everyday?

Every Day and Everyday What’s the difference between every day and everyday? These words are easy to mix up, especially if you are typing fast, or using text to speech. Here’s a hint: Every morning, I do my daily exercise. Got it? Let’s look at some examples. 1. every + day, week, month, year, etc. “Every” …

What’s the difference between every day and everyday? Read More »

What's the difference? Whether weather wether

Whether, Weather, and Wether: What’s the difference?

Whether, weather, and wether Whether, weather, and wether: what’s the difference? These words aren’t too hard, but they are easy to mix up when we are typing quickly. And since autocorrect and I do NOT get along, I’m always looking out for these words. The good news is, these words are homophones; meaning they all …

Whether, Weather, and Wether: What’s the difference? Read More »

Literally and Figuratively

Literally and Figuratively Figuratively Figurative expressions mean something special. The words and meaning don’t always match. “Spill the tea” means “gossip”. Literally Literal expressions mean what they say. I really did spill my tea. Compare the literal and figurative expressions below. Literal: The actor literally died on stage. He had a heart attack. Figurative: The actor died …

Literally and Figuratively Read More »

What’s the difference between affect and effect?

Affect vs Effect What’s the difference between affect and effect? English learners and native speakers alike get these words mixed up, myself included. So, let’s practice. Affect = verb 1. to make a difference Ex: Warm weather affects how many drinks we sell. Ex: The heavy rain affected my garden really badly. 2. to touch you emotionally Ex: That …

What’s the difference between affect and effect? Read More »

The difference between meet, meet with, meet up with

Meet, Meet with, Meet up with What is the difference between meet with, meet, and meet up with? This is a simple pattern I often hear people make mistakes with. Let’s look at some examples! meet with = serious Ex: I’m going to meet with my boss to talk about my contract. Ex: The president met with other world leaders to …

The difference between meet, meet with, meet up with Read More »

a found object highlighted in a red circle

Is there a difference between find and find out?

Find and Find Out One day, I was in the park, and I found something under a tree. It was a little metal figure. It was Han Solo from Star Wars. Of course, it was one of my son’s toys. Later, I found out he forgot it in the park weeks before. He’s lucky I …

Is there a difference between find and find out? Read More »