Words That Even Native Speakers Use Incorrectly
Vocabulary
Repeat each word, definition, and example sentence after your tutor.
opposite
Adjective
ˈɑpəzət
completely different from one another
Although she is my twin sister, we have opposite opinions on many things.
harm
Verb
hɑːrm
to hurt or damage someone or something
Smoking while pregnant can harm your baby.
roller coaster
Noun
ˈroʊlər koʊstər
a type of ride at a theme park that looks like a small railway with steep slopes; something that is unpredictable and involves sudden changes
This theme park has over 40 rides, including three huge roller coasters.
nausea
Noun
ˈnɔːziːə
a feeling of sickness in the stomach that often makes a person vomit
He felt waves of nausea as he sat in the waiting room.
well-known
Adjective
ˌwel ˈnoʊn
known by many people
Leonardo DiCaprio is a well-known American actor.
Exercise 2
Article
Words That Even Native Speakers Use Incorrectly
English learners often say that they want to talk like a native speaker. But did you know that there are many words that even native speakers use incorrectly? Here are some examples.
"Poisonous" vs. "Venomous"
Something that's "poisonous" will harm you if you eat it, while something that's "venomous" will harm you if it bites you. For example, some plants are poisonous, while some snakes are venomous. However, you will hear many native speakers say "poisonous snake."
"Nauseous" vs. "Nauseated"
You might hear a native speaker say that they feel "nauseous" after a roller coaster ride. However, they should say that they're "nauseated." Something that causes nausea is "nauseous" and makes people feel "nauseated."
However, this mistake is so common that some dictionaries have added a second definition for "nauseous"!
"Depraved" vs. "Deprived"
If someone is "depraved," they do very bad things. For example, you might say bank robbers or some politicians are "depraved."
But if someone is "deprived," they don't have something they need. For example, to be "sleep-deprived" means that you haven't gotten enough sleep.
"Infamous"
Some native speakers use the word "infamous" to mean "very famous." However, to be "infamous" is to be famous for doing something bad! For example, a well-known bank robber can be described as "infamous," while the Korean boy band BTS is just "famous."
Discussion
1.
Have you ever heard any of the words featured in the article?
2.
Is your country home to any venomous snakes?
3.
When was the last time you felt sleep-deprived?
4.
If you could meet any famous person, who would you choose? Why?
5.
Are there any common words in your language that people often use incorrectly?