12 most confusing word pairs in English

I remember one of my student wanted to borrow a pen from me. He said, "Can I lend your pen?" Of course, he wanted to say, "Can I borrow your pen?" Below, I have put together 12 word pairs my students often mix up.

1. Say vs. tell

Say focuses on the words themselves; you say something (a statement, a word, or information). Tell requires a person as the object; you tell someone something.

• She said the meeting was cancelled.
• He told me about his holiday plans.
• What did the teacher say about the homework?
• Nobody told us that the shop was closed.
• I cannot say whether this is the right decision.

2. Look vs. see

See happens automatically when your eyes are open. Look means you deliberately direct your attention somewhere.

• I saw a rainbow on my way to work this morning.
• Please look at the diagram on page twelve.
• Did you see that bird fly past the window?
• She looked carefully at the contract before signing.
• I can see the mountains from my bedroom window.

3. Travel vs. trip

Travel is a verb (and sometimes an uncountable noun) describing the general activity of going from place to place. Trip is a countable noun referring to a specific journey with a beginning and end.

You cannot say "I made a travel to Paris" because travel is not typically countable. Instead, say "I made a trip to Paris."

• I love to travel during the summer holidays.
• Our trip to Barcelona lasted five days.
• Travel broadens the mind and exposes you to new cultures.
• How was your business trip to Manchester?
• She has travelled to over thirty countries.

4. Fun vs. funny

Fun describes something enjoyable or entertaining. Funny describes something that makes you laugh.

Note that funny can also mean "strange" or "odd," as in "There is something funny about this situation."

• The party was so much fun; we danced until midnight.
• That comedian tells very funny stories.
• Cycling through the countryside is fun.
• It is funny how quickly the weather changed today.
• We had a fun day at the beach despite the clouds.

5. Listen vs. hear

Hear happens passively; sounds reach your ears without effort. Listen is active; you pay attention on purpose to understand or enjoy something.

Think of it this way: your ears hear automatically, but your brain must decide to listen.

• I heard a strange noise coming from the garden.
• Please listen carefully to the safety instructions.
• Can you hear the birds singing outside?
• She always listens to podcasts on her commute.
• I did not hear you; could you repeat that?

6. Job vs. work

Job is a countable noun referring to a specific position or employment role. Work functions as both an uncountable noun (the activity) and a verb (to do tasks).

• She has a job at a marketing agency in London.
• I have too much work to finish before Friday.
• He is searching for a new job in the tech industry.
• I work from home three days a week.
• This job requires excellent communication skills.

You cannot say "I have a work" because work is uncountable when referring to tasks. Say "I have a job" or "I have work to do."

7. Each vs. every

Each emphasises individuals within a group, treating them separately. Every focuses on the group as a whole, viewing members collectively.

• Each student received personalised feedback on their essay.
• Every student in the class passed the exam.
• The teacher spoke to each parent individually.
• I brush my teeth every morning and evening.
• Each of the paintings has a unique colour palette.

When the number is small or you want to highlight individual treatment, choose each. For general statements about all members, use every.

8. Borrow vs. lend

Borrow means to take something temporarily from someone else. Lend means to give something temporarily to someone else. The direction matters: borrowers receive, lenders give.

• May I borrow your laptop for the afternoon?
• I will lend you my umbrella since it is raining.
• The library allows you to borrow up to ten books.
• She lent me her notes before the exam.
• I never borrow money from friends.

A simple trick: you borrow from someone and lend to someone. The preposition helps you remember which word to use.

9. Speak vs. talk

Speak is slightly more formal and often refers to one-way communication or language ability. Talk is more casual and usually implies a two-way conversation.

• Could I speak to the manager, please?
• We talked for hours about our childhood memories.
• She speaks four languages fluently.
• Let us talk about your progress next week.
• The professor will speak at the conference tomorrow.

In general, use speak for formal contexts or abilities, and talk for friendly, informal exchanges.

10. Still vs. yet

Still indicates that something continues to happen or be true. Yet suggests that something expected has not happened but might soon. Still appears in positive sentences; yet typically appears in negatives and questions.

• I am still waiting for my parcel to arrive.
• Have you finished your assignment yet?
• She still lives in the same house she grew up in.
• They have not announced the results yet.
• He is still deciding which university to attend.

Placement matters: still usually goes before the main verb or after "be," while yet goes at the end of the sentence.

11. House vs. home

House refers to the physical building or structure where people live. Home carries an emotional meaning; it is the place where you feel you belong, regardless of the structure.

• They bought a new house near the river last year.
• After a long journey, I was happy to be home.
• The house has three bedrooms and a large garden.
• This flat feels like home even though it is small.
• We are renovating the house before moving in.

You can live in a house, but your home is wherever your heart is. A flat or caravan can be a home too.

12. Since vs. for

Since marks a starting point in time. For describes the duration or length of time. Both are used with perfect tenses, but they answer different questions.

• I have worked here since 2019.
• She has lived abroad for five years.
• We have been friends since primary school.
• He has studied Spanish for two months now.
• The shop has been open since eight o'clock this morning.

Ask yourself: "When did it start?" (since) or "How long?" (for). This simple question will guide your choice. For more practice, see our since vs for exercises.

1. Exercise 1: choose the correct word

Select the correct word to complete each sentence.

1. She saidtold me that the meeting was cancelled.

2. Can you looksee the lighthouse from here?

3. How was your traveltrip to Scotland?

4. The film was really funfunny. I laughed the whole time.

5. You should listenhear to your parents more often.

6. She found a new jobwork at a law firm in the city centre.

7. EachEvery student in the class passed the final exam.

8. Could I borrowlend your dictionary for a moment?

9. She speakstalks three languages fluently.

10. I am stillyet working on the report.

11. They bought a beautiful househome near the coast.

12. I have lived in London sincefor five years.

2. Exercise 2: multiple choice

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.

1. What did he _____ about the new project?

2. Please _____ at the instructions before you begin.

3. She loves to _____ alone.

4. Board games are _____ when you play with friends.

5. I _____ a loud bang outside my window last night.

6. I have too much _____ to finish before the weekend.

7. The teacher gave feedback to _____ student individually.

8. I will _____ you my car this weekend.

9. Let us _____ about this later when we have more time.

10. Have you finished your homework _____?

11. After a long day, I just want to go _____.

12. She has worked here _____ 2018.

3. Exercise 3: fill in the blanks

Complete each sentence with the correct word rom the box.