ESL: Bad Pair Day
These are all common expressions, but they cause problems even for native-speakers. 1. The Illustrated Library of Natural Science (comprises, is comprised of) four books which present (explicit, implicit) information on a wide variety of subjects. 2. As a possible result of (climactic, climatic) changes, sharks are now occasinally spotted along northern beaches. 3. The reason I cannot let you (borrow, have the lend of) my history book is (because, that) I've not yet completed my own homework. 4. Although (both, each) of the umpires had his own interpretation of the same play, we knew that they were fair and (disinterested, uninterested). 5. Maria (brought, took) the baseballs to the coach. The team had very (few, little) baseballs on hand. 6. Many loyal British (citizens, subjects) (deprecated, depreciated) the efforts of the colonists to break away from the mother country. 7. How (any one, either) of the two boys can get his homework done with all the noise is a real (dilemma, problem). 8. Though Raymond's (character, reputation) was injured by the slanderous statements, those who knew him best were rightly convinced of his upright (character, reputation). 9. Although a large (amount, number) of students tried out for the class play Harvey, a great (deal of, many) candidates had no previous dramatic training. 10. The doctors had to divide the serum (among, between) their many (clients, patients). 11. Because a great (deal of, many) new facts are constantly turning up, there can never be a (definite, definitive) history of America. 12. We were (figuratively, literally) stunned by the (enormity, enormousness) of the Empire State Building. 13. Because of the wind it was (some time, sometime) before we could get the ropes reasonably (taunt, taut). 14. When the thieves broke (in, into) my grandmother's house, they had time to (rob, steal) only an inexpensive watch. 15. The Christmas cookies, for which the corner store is (noted, notorious), are baked on the (premise, premises). 16. History (learns, teaches) us the facts we need for (perpetrating, perpetuating) our heritage of freedom. 17. Because of your interest in science fiction, you are (liable, likely) to find Robert Heinlein's latest book (legible, readable). 18. In his report Claude (implied, inferred) that, despite his troubles, Silas had led a rich and (full, fulsome) life. 19. (Partaking in, Participating in) extracurricular activities does not ordinarily (militate, mitigate) against success in scholastic activities. 20. (Some time, Sometime) will you (learn, teach) me how to play Scrabble? 21. We planned to meet (at, in) the camera store (at, in) Hempstead. 22. The school elections gave 531 votes to Cart Anderson, 426 to Marylou Gould, and 261 to Bill Norris. Carl had a (majority, plurality) of the votes, but he failed to win a (majority, plurality). 23. In describing suits of armor used in the Middle Ages, Mr. Green commented that men were on the average much shorter (than, then) (than, then) now. 24. One can often (recollect, remember) without trying, but to (recollect, remember) may take some thought. 25. He’s not a very nice person. He uses his (official, officious) position in an (official, officious) manner. 26. The doctor (proscribed, prescribed) aspirin and bed-rest for the patient. |
