Which word is correct? (Cont.)

Dr. Grammar says:

“What’s wrong with this sentence? My brother has an annoying practice of taking the most convenient chair in the TV room.”

EXPLANATION:

When learning English, there are many words with similar meanings. However, similar means nearly the same!

This means that often some popular common mistakes occur because students don’t realise the difference. This lesson will point out a few of the common mistakes that occur so hopefully you will not make them again.

This is the second lesson of “Which word is correct?" However, you do not need the first lesson to understand this lesson. Both are useful!

Comfortable or convenient?

Two very commonly used words by learners of English, but are they being used in the appropriate situations? Usually not! So how do we use them? They both have quite a few uses, but here are the most common ones:

Convenient = 1. useful, easy or quick to do, it won’t cause problems

                         2. near to a particular place

Comfortable = 1. clothes/furniture – nice to wear or sit on

                            2. to be physically relaxed

For example:

In busy cities, motorbikes are often more convenient than cars. √

My new apartment is really convenient for getting to school, it’s so close. √

My new apartment is air-conditioned and beautifully furnished, so it is very convenient. X

My bed is extremely comfortable. √

She could not get comfortable for a long time because her back was still hurting. √

I find a computer is very comfortable for writing essays. X

Now you try these. Choose comfortable or convenient.

(The answers can be found at the end of this lesson.)

1. My new shoes are very …………………., I could wear them all day.

2. The location of the halls of residence is not very …………………. for getting to university.

3. The most …………………. time for me to exercise is at lunch time as I can get away from work for a bit.

Habit, custom or practice?

These three words are quite similar in meaning, and at times could be used synonymously (in the same position), but are used in quite different situations at other times. The most common meanings are:

Habit = something you do regularly, often without thinking

Custom = something that is an accepted action in cultures

Practice = the accepted way to do something often in organizations

For example:

I have some bad habits, such as biting my nails and clicking my pen incessantly. √

I have some bad customs, such as biting my nails and clicking my pen incessantly. X

I have some bad practices, such as biting my nails and clicking my pen incessantly. X

It is the habit in Vietnam to take off your shoes before entering a house. X

It is the custom in Vietnam to take off your shoes before entering a house. √

It is the practice in Vietnam to take off your shoes before entering a house. X (This use is not as common as “custom”)

It is a common habit to buy the boss a gift at Christmas in my company. X

It is a common custom to buy the boss a gift at Christmas in my company. X

It is a common practice to buy the boss a gift at Christmas in my company. √

Now you try these. Choose habit, custom or practice.

(The answers can be found at the end of this lesson.)

4. It is a very good …………………. to get to review the day’s lessons when you get home.

5. Unlike most places, it is not common …………………. to wear a suit in my office, the boss likes to be more relaxed.

6. My favourite Vietnamese …………………. is receiving lucky money at Tet!

Especially or special?

Actually, these two are quite different, but many mistakes are made with the use of especially. So what do they mean?

Especially = more with one thing/person than the others

Special = 1. not usual, different

                  2. more important than others

These may sound quite similar, but let’s look at how they are used:

I love Vietnamese food, but especially beef noodle soup.

She especially needs the first book on the list, the others are not quite so important.

(The most important thing to remember is not to use especially as an adjective.)

My mother’s beef noodle soup is very special, she makes it slightly differently to other people.

When I went to high school I went to a special school for Maths.

Now you try these. Choose especially or special.

(The answers can be found at the end of this lesson.)

7. There are many …………………. ingredients in my secret recipe for spaghetti Bolognese.

8. I would love to visit all the countries in Europe, but I …………………. want to see Paris.

9. They say they …………………. want to see this movie because their friend said it has a …………………. meaning for them.

So…

My brother has an annoying practice of taking the most convenient chair in the TV room. X

My brother has an annoying habit of taking the most comfortable chair in the TV room. √

Answers:

1. My new shoes are very comfortable, I could wear them all day.

2. The location of the halls of residence is not very convenient for getting to university.

3. The most convenient time for me to exercise is at lunch time as I can get away from work for a bit.

4. It is a very good habit to get to review the day’s lessons when you get home.

5. Unlike most places, it is not common practice to wear a suit in my office, the boss likes to be more relaxed.

6. My favourite Vietnamese custom is receiving lucky money at Tet!

7. There are many special ingredients in my secret recipe for spaghetti Bolognese.

8. I would love to visit all the countries in Europe, but I especially want to see Paris.

9. They say they especially want to go to this movie because their friend said it has a special meaning for them.

FURTHER PRACTICE:

First, try and write a variety of sentences by yourself using these different words in the correct situation. Then get a friend to check your work. You never know you might teach them something new as well!

Finally, if you haven’t already seen it, go back to last week’s lesson and practice those commonly misused words.

This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).