False Friends

These are words which, for one reason or another are often confused.

You can look at this page before doing the activity if you think these words will be new to you or, if you prefer, you can test your existing knowledge. You can come back here (Click on "Let me explain" at any time for further explanations.)

The questions in the activity are presented in random order but they are all below:

You will see a phrase and then two alternative continuations. One is correct (or more logical) and you can decide which that is.

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Words in this activity:

To ignore:
This means you deliberately do not respect a regulation, a rule, or advice:

"The driver ignored the speed limit and he was fined €200."
"I tried to stop him from going in the water but he ignored me and got carried away by the current."

It should not be used in contexts like

"It was his first day at school so he ignored didn't know the rule about not walking on the grass."

In apparent contradiction the adjective "ignorant" as in "Before the experiments of Marie Curie, scientists were ignorant of the phenomenon of radioactivity." DOES mean an absence of knowledge and if applied generally, "He's an ignorant lout." implies an absence of all education.

Medicine:
Speakers of some Latin languages may take the word to mean "doctor" which, unless qualified by a description "doctor of literature", "doctor of chemistry", almost always applies to a medical practitioner.

"Medicine" is the drug the doctor recommends or prescribes. (see below)
"The commonest medicine of all is probably aspirin, found in 95% of the nation's bathrooms."

To prescribe:
The opposite of "to proscribe". "To prescribe" is mostly used in a medical context and for a layman (a non-doctor) to say "I prescribe... ", whilst perfectly correct, might appear a little pretentious as, in common speech it implies medical knowledge. "I recommend... I advise... I suggest... would be better.

Commercial (as a noun):
This is a TV, film, or radio advertisement. It does not mean, on its own, a person. It can be applied to a person as an adjective however and a salesman can be a commercial traveller.

You can see a dictation based on a commercial here:

Money:
The most general term for currency of any kind, the word can be confusing in contexts where "change" is appropriate. If you buy something for €2 and pay with a €5 note you should get €3 back: that is your "change" - not your money.

As indicated in the activity the term"small change" is used to separate coins from notes.
"Carrying all that small change spoils the look of your suit."

Souvenir:
All those useless things you bring back from holiday; the mug with "a present from Bognor" on it, the little doll dressed in Alpine clothing, the bottle of that strange liquor you so liked in central Europe but which tastes horrible away from its native ground. All these are "souvenirs".

Don't confuse them with happy memories - although the sight of a souvenir might give you a happy memory - or indeed an unhappy one.

Crane:
Either a bird or a lifting machine (the one being named after the other) . Can be confusing, especially for Latin language speakers. The cranium is the top part of the skull containing the brain.

To pass (an examination):
You "take" an exam. If you succeed, you "pass" it.
"Mary took her driving test three times before she passed it."

To require:
Can be confused with "request".
"The court requires your presence." - You will be in trouble if you don't go!
"The court requests your presence." - Your presence would be useful and appreciated but not obligatory."

Eventually:
It's primary use in English is for an indefinite (probably more or less long) period of time.
"He eventually gave up waiting and went home."
"Scientists tell us the sun will eventually burn out in a supernova."
but:
If you want to say something is not sure, use "possibly", "maybe", "perhaps", may, might or a similar word or expression.
"If you buy a lottery ticket you may possibly win ten thousand dollars."

To injure:
To be hurt seriously: "He was injured in a car accident."

Notice that objects can not be "injured": they are damaged. If a person is injured by a penetrating weapon, typically with a knife or a gun, they are "wounded".

The word is often confused with "insult", noun or verb. To speak badly of someone, especially with profane language.

"The Chinese take Trump's use of the expression "Chinese virus" for coronovirus as an insult."
"Many terms used for people of foreign origin are now considered insulting."

To demand:
You can demand something if it is your right.
If not you "ask for" or "request" it:

"The prisoner demanded to speak to his lawyer."
"After an hour's interrogation he requested a glass of water."

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