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60 Must-Know Words To Pass Your English Driving Test

As of 2014, you must take the UK driving theory test in English. You cannot take the theory test with a foreign language voiceover or use an interpreter during the exam. In this post, we will give you some useful study links and provide you with essential vocabulary and phrases that will get you on the road to passing your theory test first time. Let’s take a look!

Past Continuous Tense: How To Use It Correctly (With Examples)

The past continuous tense is commonly used in English to talk about actions or events that were ongoing at a time before now. This includes one action that was interrupted by another or two actions that were happening at the same time in the past. In this post, we will explore the correct uses of the past continuous and explain how you can avoid common mistakes with it. Check out the interactive quiz at the end to test your knowledge!

Past Simple Tense: How To Use It Correctly (With Examples)

The past simple is one of the most commonly used tenses in English. We mostly use this tense to describe finished actions that happened in the past. However, there are other uses besides this. Let’s explore the correct uses of the past simple tense and look at some common mistakes to avoid. Check out the interactive exercises at the end to test your knowledge!

Present Perfect Continuous Tense: How To Use It Correctly (With Examples)

The present perfect continuous is one of the most interesting tenses in English, but it can be rather confusing! It is used to describe something that started in the past, and is still continuing in the present moment. In this guide, you will learn about the correct way to use this tense, as well as some common mistakes to avoid with it. Check out the quiz at the end to test your knowledge.

Present Perfect Tense: How To Use It Correctly (With Examples)

The present perfect is a commonly used tense, but can cause a great deal of confusion for learners of English! In this guide, we will look at the correct way to use the present perfect tense, provide examples and go over some common mistakes to avoid. Don’t forget to check out the quiz exercises at the end to test your understanding.

Present Continuous Tense: How To Use It Correctly (With Examples)

The present continuous is one of the most commonly used tenses in English. It is very versatile, so it can be difficult to use correctly. In this guide, we will look at the correct way to use the present continuous tense, provide examples and go over some common mistakes to avoid. Check out the quiz exercises at the end to test your understanding!

14 Most Commonly Confused Words in English (List & Examples)

In this study guide, we take a look at the most commonly confused words in English. Even native speakers make mistakes with these words because they sound the same, but have different spellings! There are also some differences between British and American English. Click on the links to see full articles on each word pair. You can also download this guide as a free pdf to study offline. Let’s jump right in…

Present Simple Tense: How To Use It Correctly (With Examples)

The present simple tense is probably the first tense that you learned when studying English at school. While most learners know that this tense is commonly used for describing actions that happen in the present moment, it also has many other usages! In this post, we will explore the correct uses of the present simple tense and explain how you can avoid common mistakes with it. Check out the interactive quiz at the end to test your knowledge!

Easter In The UK: Bunnies, Eggs & Hot Cross Buns

Easter is a popular festive day in the UK with many traditions. In this guide, we explore its history and explain how it is celebrated today. Find out all about the Easter Bunny, chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and more while learning some new vocabulary along the way (see glossary at the end)! Let’s not rabbit on, but instead hop over to the post…

Valentine’s Day In The UK: Could English Become Your Language Of love?

In this series, we talk about different cultural traditions in the UK. Many of them may be similar to traditions in your own country. What differences and similarities can you find? In this article, we discuss Valentine’s Day. We have highlighted some of the trickier words. See whether you can guess their meaning from the context of the sentences and compare your answers to the definitions in the glossary below.

Difference Between: While vs. Whilst

In British English, while (hwaɪl) and whilst (hwaɪlst) mean the same thing when they are conjunctions (words that connect two ideas). As conjunctions, they can both mean ‘at the same time’ (e.g. Never do your homework while/whilst you watch TV) or ‘although/whereas’ (e.g. While/whilst it’s good to be out in the sun, we need to protect ourselves with sun cream). American English speakers never use whilst, and British English speakers only use it to be formal. In both British and American English, we can also use while as a verb or noun.

Difference Between: Just vs. Only

Just (dʒʌs) and only (oʊnli) are adverbs (words that change the meaning of a word or phrase). We can use just and only interchangeably when they mean ‘not more than or a small quantity of something’ – e.g. I just have 2 meals a day or I only have 2 meals a day. However, there are some situations where we have to use one word and not the other. Let’s take a look!

Difference Between: Too vs. Also

Too (tuː) and also (ɔːlsoʊ) are both adverbs that mean ‘in addition’. The difference is their position in the sentence. Adding extra information – e.g. Jamie bought some milk. He bought some bread too. Or Jamie bought some milk. He also bought some bread. Adding emphasis – e.g. Emma can play the guitar. She can play the piano too. Or Emma can play the guitar. She can also play the piano.

Difference Between: Further vs. Farther

Further (fɜːʳðəʳ) and Farther (fɑːðəʳ) are both adverbs (words that describe actions) and adjectives (words that describe things). They are also the comparative form of far, which means ‘to be at a distance’. As a result, further and farther mean: ‘to a greater distance or degree’ – e.g. The hikers were so tired, they couldn’t walk any farther or James decided that if he had further problems with the car, he would sell it.

Difference Between: Lead vs. Led

Lead (liːd) and led (led) are different forms of the same verb. The base meaning is ‘to control or guide a situation to reach a destination or objective’ – e.g. I lead a yoga group on Wednesdays. Led has the same meaning as lead, but is used to talk about the past – e.g. I led a yoga class last week.

Difference Between: Advice vs. Advise

Advice (ædvaɪs) and advise (ædvaɪz) look and sound similar. Advice is a noun (thing or idea) that means ‘an opinion that offers a recommendation, suggestion or information’ – e.g. The teacher’s advice was to study every day’. Advise is a verb (action) that means ‘to tell someone what you think they should do’ – e.g. My friend advised me to take a holiday’.

Difference Between: Inquiry vs. Enquiry

Inquiry and enquiry sound the same (ɪnkwaɪəri), but have different meanings in British English. Inquiry means ‘official investigation’ – e.g. The government launched an inquiry into corruption. Enquiry means ‘a question about something’ – e.g. The gym received an enquiry about its opening hours. Americans only use inquiry.

Difference Between: Anyway vs. Any Way

Anyway (one word) is an adverb that means ‘in any case’ – e.g. It started to rain, but the family went to the beach anyway. Any way (two words) is a phrase that means ‘in any manner’ – e.g. The mechanic tried to start the car any way possible.