Empathy vs. Sympathy

Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s feelings.

It is important that people who work as nurses feel empathy for their patients.

Sympathy are feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else’s misfortune.

She has just broken up with her boyfriend and is suffering a lot, but I can’t feel sympathy for her.

Historic vs. Historical

Historic means famous, important, and influential.

We visited the historic Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

Historical means that something is related to history.

Abraham Lincoln is a historical figure that shaped the US and changed history.

Personal vs. Personnel

Personal is an adjective often used to describe what belongs to or relates to a particular person.

I value my personal space and privacy and I’d appreciate it if you did.

Personnel is most often used to refer to a group of people who work for a particular company.

Only authorized personnel have access to this room.

Desert vs. Dessert

Desert is an area of very dry land that is usually covered with sand and is very hot.

The Sahara is the largest desert in the world.

Dessert is sweet food that is eaten after a meal.

Apple pie with ice cream is my favourite dessert.

Quiet vs. Quite

Quiet is mostly used as an adjective and describes things or people who make little noise.

Students in the classroom should be quiet and listen to the teacher.

Quite is an adverb that most often means „very”.

I am quite tired after a hard day at work.

Breath vs. Breathe

Breath is a noun; it’s the air that goes in and out of your lungs.

After running for so long, I couldn’t catch my breath.

Breathe is a verb; it means to exhale or inhale.

You should breathe deeply while meditating.

Actually

False meaning: now, at this moment
True meaning: in fact, really

How much do you actually earn?

Actually, she is not a doctor. She is still studying.

Your speech was actually pretty good.

Hint: an easy way to remember a good meaning of the word is to find a translation of “Love, actually” (2003 film by Richard Curtis) 😊

Eventually

False meaning: optionally
True meaning: in the end

Our budget was very low, but we eventually found a new flat.

Eventually, he managed to talk to his boss.

This task was very difficult and he eventually gave up.

Become

False meaning: receive, get
True meaning: begin to be

In the future I want to become a journalist.

She’s become a beautiful young woman.

I really don’t know what is happening to him and why he has become such a monster.

Did you know the correct meaning of all these words? 🙂
You can test your skills in this quiz!