Word

Explanation

Example

because

The reason is very important in the sentence, so because comes in the sencond clause of the sentence.

I read this book because I like it.

as

The reason is already known.

As we read, we learn.

since

The reason is already known.
(more formal than as)

Since we were in the computer lab, our English has improved.

for

The reason is given at the end of the sentence.

We went to a small restaurant - for we were hungry.

Word

Explanation

Example

big

large in size, degree or amount

a big stone

great

much bigger than average

a great success
a great time

high

measurement from the bottom to the top; greater than normal

a high mountain
a high level

large

big in size and quantity

a large country
a large number of people

tall

greater height than average

a tall man

Note: We use high or tall when we talk about buildings.

Word

Explanation

Example

borrow

to take and use sth. that belongs to sb. else

I'd like to borrow your umbrella.

lend

to give sth. to sb. that belongs to you

I can lend you my umbrella.

Word

Explanation

Example

bring

to come to a place

Can you bring me the Coke, please?

take

to carry or move sth. from one place to another

Can you take the book to the library?

Word

Explanation

Example

disability

used to refer to an on-the-job injury
One is 'On disability' when they are being paid by their employer while recovering from the injury.

When you are disabled it can be even more difficult to find a job, especially if you have limitation because of your disability.
disability benefit = Erwerbsunfhigkeitsrente

handicap

a specific ailment, injury, or infirmity that a person suffers from which limits their abiltity to function in a normal capacity
This is the official term used when the Department of Motor Vehicles issues a special permit to allow the driver to park their car in a designated area, for example.

Handicap parking spaces are restricted to authorized verhicles 24 hours daily.

impairment

the broadest term - it can mean that there is a disability or handicap, OR it can mean that the person has had too much too drink

The man was driving a car while impaired by alcohol.

All three terms are pretty much interchangeable in many instances but most of the time each is used in a certain way.

Word

Explanation

Example

hear

to be aware of sounds in your ears

I can hear music in Peter's room.

listen (to)

to pay attention to sb./sth. that you can hear

Peter often listens to music when he's at home.

Word

Explanation

Example

it's

Short/contracted form of it is or
it has

It's a boy. (it is)

It's been raining for five hours now. (it has)

its

Possessive pronouns never have apostrophes.

England is famous for its castles.

Word

Explanation

Example

live [lɪv] he lives [lɪvz]

to live (verb)

I live in France.
Peter lives in Poland.

life [laɪf]
lives [laɪvz]

state of living
plural of life

I read a book about the life of Mark Twain.
Many people lost their lives in the war.

live [laɪv]

not recorded;
not dead

We watched the live coverage of the Formula I.
We really saw a live rattlesnake.

Word

Explanation

Example

look

to pay attention, to try to see what is there; seem
look up (e.g. dictionary)

Look at the board, please.
You can look up the words in the dictionary.

see

visual impression come to the eyes;
understand

Can you see the the blue car over there?
I see what you mean.

watch

look for a time; like to look

He watches TV in the evenings.

Word

Explanation

Example

make

to create sth. (you often use your hands)

We make birdhouses every winter.
The pupils make a lot of noise in the break.
She makes me happy.

do

an action you do not mention by name;
mostly mental work;
mostly referred to the topic 'work'

They do their homework in the afternoon.
I often do the shopping in the evenings.

There are no clear rules whether to use 'do' or 'make': Have a look in a good dictionary, like to OALD, or use make it is more likely to be right.

Word

Explanation

Example

say

to say something (say is followed immediately by a noun clause)

If you want to put a personal object after say, use the word to.

Andrew said that he was right.


He said to his father that he was right.

tell

to tell someone something (tell is followed by an object noun or pronoun)

Can you tell me the way to the station, please?

Some might say that he was right.

some people believe

It is said to bring good luck.

in the sense of 'always'

No one goes home without my say-so.

used as a statement

Let me have my say.

say is used as a noun

englisch

deutsch

Beispiel

see

to go and see sb./sth.

Come and see us tomorrow.

visit

to go and see sb./sth. (sounds more official)

Lots of tourists visit the Tower every day.

attend

to go regularly to a place

I attend a university.

go to

to go somewhere

I go to university.
We go to a party every Friday.

Word

Explanation

Example

there

in, at or to that place

Could you put the books there, please?

they're

short form of they are

They're reading a book.

their

determiner belonging to them

What colour is their car?

These words are homophones and are sometimes confusing for learners of English as a second language.

Word

Explanation

Example

to

preposition


before an infinitive

He walks to school.
They fly to Budapest.

I don't know what to do.

too

also, as well

sth. is more than necessary

He sings and plays the drums too.

This T-shirt is too large.

two

number

We arrived in Rome two hours ago.

Word

Explanation

Example

when

you are sure that something will happen

When I'm in Paris, I'll visit you.
(It sure, that I'm going to Paris.)

if

you are not sure that something will happen

If I'm in Paris, I'll visit you.
(It not sure, that I'm going to Paris.)

ATTENTION!
You can both use when and if when you talk about things that happen repeatedly (in generalizations).

If you freeze water, it expands.
When you freeze water, it expands.

Word

Explanation

Example

which

You have a limited choice of things.

Which lemonade do you like - green or pink?

what

You have an unlimited choice of things.

What lemonade do you like?

With nouns that refer to people, sometimes which is used - even if there is an unlimited choice.

Word

Explanation

Example

you're

Short/Contracted form of you are

I'm from Germany and you're from Spain.

your

Possessive Determiner

Have yout got your textbook?