Commonly confused verbs
make / do, borrow / lend, rise / raise, lie / lay, remember / remind, bring / take.
| Pair | Difference | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| make / do | make = create, produce; do = activity, work | make a cake, make a decision, make a mistake; do homework, do the dishes, do sport |
| borrow / lend | borrow = take for a while; lend = give for a while | Can I borrow your pen? Can you lend me your pen? |
| rise / raise | rise = go up (no object); raise = lift something | Prices rise. Raise your hand. |
| lie / lay | lie (lay, lain) = be horizontal; lay (laid) = put down | I lay on the bed. She laid the table. |
| remember / remind | remember = have in memory; remind = make someone remember | Remind me to call him. I remember him. |
| bring / take | bring = towards the speaker; take = away from the speaker | Bring me a coffee. Take this to your mother. |
| win / earn | win = get a prize or victory; earn = get money by working | win a match, earn a salary |
| say / tell | tell + person; say + words | Tell me a story. Say hello. |
Test yourself
-
Complete: Could you ___ me some money?
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lend -
Complete: I need to ___ a decision.
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make -
Complete: ___ me to buy bread.
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Remind -
Complete: He ___ a lot of money. (by working)
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earns