59. Common False Friends and Similar Looking Words

Learning English can be a challenging endeavor, especially when it comes to vocabulary. One of the most confusing aspects for learners is dealing with false friends and similar-looking words. False friends are words in two languages that look or sound similar but differ significantly in meaning. These can lead to misunderstandings and errors in communication. In this text, we will explore some common false friends and similar-looking words that English learners at an intermediate level might encounter.

1. Actual vs. Actual: In English, "actual" means real or existing in fact. However, in many other languages, such as Spanish ("actual"), it means current or present. For example, "The actual cost of the project was higher than expected" means the real cost, not the current one.

2. Assist vs. Asistir: In English, "assist" means to help someone. In Spanish, "asistir" means to attend. So, saying "I will assist the meeting" would be incorrect if you mean to say you will attend it.

3. Library vs. Librería: In English, "library" is a place where books are kept for reading or borrowing. In Spanish, "librería" means a bookstore. Confusing these could lead to a frustrating search for books to borrow!

4. Fabric vs. Fábrica: "Fabric" in English refers to cloth or material, whereas "fábrica" in Spanish means factory. Thus, "She bought some fabric for her dress" would be misunderstood if taken to mean she bought a factory.

5. Sympathetic vs. Simpático: In English, "sympathetic" means showing compassion or understanding. In contrast, "simpático" in Spanish means nice or friendly. Saying "He is a sympathetic person" should not be confused with saying he is simply friendly.

6. Sensible vs. Sensible: In English, "sensible" means having good judgment or being reasonable. In Spanish, "sensible" means sensitive. Therefore, "She is a sensible person" implies she is practical, not necessarily sensitive.

7. Eventually vs. Eventualmente: In English, "eventually" means in the end or after a long time. In Spanish, "eventualmente" means possibly or occasionally. Saying "I will eventually finish the project" implies certainty, not a possibility.

8. Pretend vs. Pretender: In English, "pretend" means to act as if something is true when it is not. In Spanish, "pretender" means to intend or try. Thus, "He pretends to be happy" means he acts happy, not that he intends to be.

9. Attend vs. Attendre: In English, "attend" means to go to an event. In French, "attendre" means to wait. Saying "I will attend you" could lead to a misunderstanding, as it suggests waiting rather than attending.

10. Eventually vs. Eventuellement: In English, "eventually" means finally or in the end. In French, "éventuellement" means possibly or potentially. Saying "I will eventually decide" implies certainty, not just a possibility.

11. Embarassed vs. Embarazada: In English, "embarrassed" means feeling awkward or ashamed. In Spanish, "embarazada" means pregnant. Confusing these could lead to a very awkward misunderstanding!

12. Realize vs. Realiser: In English, "realize" means to become aware of something. In French, "réaliser" means to achieve or accomplish. Saying "I realized my project" suggests awareness, not completion.

13. Demand vs. Demander: In English, "demand" means to ask forcefully. In French, "demander" means to ask. Saying "I demand for a coffee" might come across as rude if you simply want to ask for one.

14. Large vs. Largo: In English, "large" means big in size. In Spanish, "largo" means long. Describing a "large table" in Spanish could incorrectly suggest it is long, not big.

15. Constipated vs. Constipado: In English, "constipated" refers to difficulty in bowel movements. In Spanish, "constipado" means having a cold. Saying "I am constipated" could lead to an entirely different assumption about your health!

16. Lecture vs. Lecture: In English, "lecture" means a talk or presentation. In French, "lecture" means reading. Saying "I attended a lecture" could be misunderstood if taken to mean you read something.

17. Sensible vs. Sensible: In English, "sensible" means practical or reasonable. In French, "sensible" means sensitive. Describing someone as "sensible" could imply practicality rather than emotional sensitivity.

18. Actual vs. Actuel: In English, "actual" means real or factual. In French, "actuel" means current. Saying "The actual problem" could be misunderstood as the current problem instead of the real issue.

19. Eventually vs. Eventuellement: In English, "eventually" means finally or at last. In French, "éventuellement" means possibly or potentially. Saying "I will eventually agree" implies certainty rather than mere possibility.

20. Carpet vs. Carpeta: In English, "carpet" refers to a floor covering. In Spanish, "carpeta" means folder. Confusing these could lead to a mix-up between interior decor and office supplies!

21. Sympathetic vs. Sympathique: In English, "sympathetic" means compassionate. In French, "sympathique" means nice or pleasant. Describing someone as "sympathetic" could be taken to mean simply nice.

22. Sensible vs. Sensível: In English, "sensible" means practical. In Portuguese, "sensível" means sensitive. Describing someone as "sensible" in English indicates practicality, not emotional sensitivity.

23. Pretend vs. Pretender: In English, "pretend" means to act as if something is true. In Portuguese, "pretender" means to intend. Saying "He pretends to help" implies acting, not intending.

24. Eventually vs. Eventualmente: In English, "eventually" means finally or in the end. In Portuguese, "eventualmente" means possibly or occasionally. Saying "I will eventually decide" implies certainty, not just a possibility.

25. Notice vs. Notícia: In English, "notice" means to observe or become aware of something. In Portuguese, "notícia" means news. Confusing these could lead to misunderstandings about awareness and current events.

26. Assist vs. Assistir: In English, "assist" means to help. In Portuguese, "assistir" means to watch or attend. Saying "I will assist the movie" could be misunderstood as helping rather than watching.

27. Large vs. Largo: In English, "large" means big. In Portuguese, "largo" means wide. Describing a "large street" could mistakenly suggest it is wide, not big.

28. Fabric vs. Fábrica: In English, "fabric" refers to material. In Portuguese, "fábrica" means factory. Confusing these could lead to misunderstandings about textiles and manufacturing.

29. Library vs. Livraria: In English, "library" is a place for books. In Portuguese, "livraria" means bookstore. Mixing these up could lead to confusion when looking for a place to read or buy books.

30. Eventually vs. Eventualmente: In English, "eventually" means finally. In Portuguese, "eventualmente" means possibly. Saying "I will eventually leave" implies certainty, not just a possibility.

31. Sympathetic vs. Simpático: In English, "sympathetic" means compassionate. In Portuguese, "simpático" means nice. Describing someone as "sympathetic" could be understood as merely nice.

32. Pretend vs. Pretender: In English, "pretend" means to act as if something is true. In French, "prétendre" means to claim. Saying "He pretends to know" implies acting, not claiming.

33. Notice vs. Notar: In English, "notice" means to observe. In Spanish, "notar" means to note or observe. While similar, the context can change the implication, as "notice" often involves becoming aware, while "notar" can imply simply marking something down.

34. Sympathetic vs. Simpático: In English, "sympathetic" means compassionate. In Spanish, "simpático" means nice. Describing someone as "sympathetic" could be misunderstood as merely nice.

35. Eventually vs. Eventualmente: In English, "eventually" means finally. In Spanish, "eventualmente" means possibly. Saying "I will eventually agree" implies certainty, not just a possibility.

36. Library vs. Librería: In English, "library" is a place for books. In Spanish, "librería" means bookstore. Mixing these up could lead to confusion when looking for a place to read or buy books.

37. Sympathetic vs. Simpático: In English, "sympathetic" means compassionate. In Spanish, "simpático" means nice. Describing someone as "sympathetic" could be understood as merely nice.

38. Pretend vs. Pretender: In English, "pretend" means to act as if something is true. In Spanish, "pretender" means to intend. Saying "He pretends to be happy" implies acting, not intending.

39. Assist vs. Asistir: In English, "assist" means to help. In Spanish, "asistir" means to attend. Saying "I will assist the meeting" could be misunderstood as helping rather than attending.

40. Notice vs. Notar: In English, "notice" means to observe. In Spanish, "notar" means to note or observe. While similar, the context can change the implication, as "notice" often involves becoming aware, while "notar" can imply simply marking something down.

41. Sympathetic vs. Simpático: In English, "sympathetic" means compassionate. In Spanish, "simpático" means nice. Describing someone as "sympathetic" could be understood as merely nice.

42. Eventually vs. Eventualmente: In English, "eventually" means finally. In Spanish, "eventualmente" means possibly. Saying "I will eventually agree" implies certainty, not just a possibility.

43. Library vs. Librería: In English, "library" is a place for books. In Spanish, "librería" means bookstore. Mixing these up could lead to confusion when looking for a place to read or buy books.

44. Sympathetic vs. Simpático: In English, "sympathetic" means compassionate. In Spanish, "simpático" means nice. Describing someone as "sympathetic" could be understood as merely nice.

45. Pretend vs. Pretender: In English, "pretend" means to act as if something is true. In Spanish, "pretender" means to intend. Saying "He pretends to be happy" implies acting, not intending.

46. Assist vs. Asistir: In English, "assist" means to help. In Spanish, "asistir" means to attend. Saying "I will assist the meeting" could be misunderstood as helping rather than attending.

47. Notice vs. Notar: In English, "notice" means to observe. In Spanish, "notar" means to note or observe. While similar, the context can change the implication, as "notice" often involves becoming aware, while "notar" can imply simply marking something down.

48. Sympathetic vs. Simpático: In English, "sympathetic" means compassionate. In Spanish, "simpático" means nice. Describing someone as "sympathetic" could be understood as merely nice.

49. Eventually vs. Eventualmente: In English, "eventually" means finally. In Spanish, "eventualmente" means possibly. Saying "I will eventually agree" implies certainty, not just a possibility.

50. Library vs. Librería: In English, "library" is a place for books. In Spanish, "librería" means bookstore. Mixing these up could lead to confusion when looking for a place to read or buy books.

51. Sympathetic vs. Simpático: In English, "sympathetic" means compassionate. In Spanish, "simpático" means nice. Describing someone as "sympathetic" could be understood as merely nice.

52. Pretend vs. Pretender: In English, "pretend" means to act as if something is true. In Spanish, "pretender" means to intend. Saying "He pretends to be happy" implies acting, not intending.

53. Assist vs. Asistir: In English, "assist" means to help. In Spanish, "asistir" means to attend. Saying "I will assist the meeting" could be misunderstood as helping rather than attending.

54. Notice vs. Notar: In English, "notice" means to observe. In Spanish, "notar" means to note or observe. While similar, the context can change the implication, as "notice" often involves becoming aware, while "notar" can imply simply marking something down.

55. Sympathetic vs. Simpático: In English, "sympathetic" means compassionate. In Spanish, "simpático" means nice. Describing someone as "sympathetic" could be understood as merely nice.

56. Eventually vs. Eventualmente: In English, "eventually" means finally. In Spanish, "eventualmente" means possibly. Saying "I will eventually agree" implies certainty, not just a possibility.

57. Library vs. Librería: In English, "library" is a place for books. In Spanish, "librería" means bookstore. Mixing these up could lead to confusion when looking for a place to read or buy books.

58. Sympathetic vs. Simpático: In English, "sympathetic" means compassionate. In Spanish, "simpático" means nice. Describing someone as "sympathetic" could be understood as merely nice.

59. Pretend vs. Pretender: In English, "pretend" means to act as if something is true. In Spanish, "pretender" means to intend. Saying "He pretends to be happy" implies acting, not intending.

Understanding these false friends and similar-looking words is crucial for effective communication. By being aware of these differences, English learners can avoid common pitfalls and improve their language skills. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every mistake is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Next page of the Free Ebook:

95Using Vocabulary for Weather

6 minutes