10 Confusing Words

 10 Confusing Words in Spoken English

Easy Guidence by Slow English Practice 

English learners many times get confused by words that sound similar or have related meanings. This blog will help you understand 10 of confusing English words, explained in a simple way, with examples and memory tips so you can speak more confidently.

Let’s Start with new motivation!

1. Borrow vs. Lend

Borrow = to take something temporarily

✅ I borrowed a pen from Sam.

✅ Can I borrow your book?

Lend = to give something temporarily

✅ I will lend you my charger.

✅ She lent her bike to a friend.

💡 Tip: If you take → borrow. If you give → lend.

 2. Say vs. Tell

Say = we say something

✅ He said hello.

✅ She said it was raining.

Tell = we tell someone

✅ I told her a secret.

✅ They told me the news.

💡 Tip:  Say = something. Tell = someone.

3. Look vs. See vs. Watch

Look = to focus on something

✅ Look at the sky.

✅ I looked at the painting.

See = to notice naturally

✅ I saw you at the shop.

✅ Did you see that?

Watch = to observe something moving

✅ I watched a movie.

✅ She watches birds.

💡 Tip:  Look = try. See = automatic. Watch = for movement.

4. Bring vs. Take

Bring = move something toward the speaker

✅ Please bring your notes.

✅ She brought food.

Take = move something away from the speaker

✅ Take this to your mom.

✅ I took an umbrella.

💡 Tip:  Coming to you → bring. Going away → take.

5. Much vs. Many

Much = uncountable nouns

✅ I don’t have much time.

✅ There isn’t much water.

Many = countable nouns

✅ She has many books.

✅ How many pens do you have?

💡 Tip:  Much = milk. Many = apples.

 6. Lie vs. Lay

Lie = to rest

✅ I lie on the sofa.

✅ She lies down after lunch.

Lay = to place something down

✅ Lay the baby gently.

✅ He laid his phone on the table.

💡 Tip:  Lie = yourself. Lay = something else.

 7. Hear vs. Listen

Hear = passive, no effort

✅ I hear music.

✅ Did you hear that noise?

Listen = active, with focus

✅ I listen to music daily.

✅ Listen to your teacher.

💡 Tip:  Hear = natural. Listen = on purpose.

 8. Effect vs. Affect

Effect (noun) = result

✅ The medicine had a strong effect.

✅ That movie had a bad effect on me.

Affect (verb) = to change

✅ The cold weather affects my mood.

✅ Noise affects sleep.

💡 Tip:  Effect = result. Affect = action.

9. Say vs. Speak

Say = what you express

✅ He said “thank you.”

✅ Don’t say that again.

Speak = the action of talking

✅ She speaks four languages.

✅ Please speak clearly.

💡 Tip:  Say = words. Speak = act of talking.

 10. Job vs. Work

Job = specific position

✅ My job is a teacher.

✅ She got a new job.

Work = general activity

✅ I have a lot of work.

✅ He works every day.

💡 Tip:  Job = title. Work = task.

By slow english practice team:

   These small differences can make a big impact on how clearly you speak English. Keep practicing and you will get better every day.

Thanks for learning with Slow Practice English.Follow us for more easy lessons and daily tips to improve your speaking.