English study

My confusions in English study. Practice oral English every day.

The difference between forever and for ever

  • In American English, the one-word version is the only version for the adverb meaning continually, incessantly, or eternally.
  • In other words, the British seem to be coming around to the American usage here.
  • Conclusion: Use forever instead of for ever

Reference:

  1. grammarphobia.com

The difference between everyday and every day

  • everyday is an `adjective` we use to describe something that's seen or used every day. It means `ordinary` or `typical`. `Everyday clothing`, then, refers to the ordinary clothes you wear on regular days, as opposed to outfits designated for special events or holidays. Occasionally, people use everyday as a noun—it’s a shorthand way of referring to their everyday routines.
  • every day is a phrase that simply means `each day`. Because of the space separating the two words, 'every' is simply an adjective modifying the word 'day'.

Reference:

  1. grammarly.com

The difference between what's he/she like and what does he/she look like

  • If you want to know about personality, if he’s easy-going or nervous, bossy or relaxed, you ask: what's he/she like.
  • And if you want to know about his physical appearance, if he’s tall or short, fat or skinny, with a head full of dense, luxurious blond hair or bald as a billiard ball, you ask: what does he/she look like.

Reference:

  1. masterkeyenglish.com

physician and physicist

  • Physician is a medical doctor, especially one who has general skill and is not a surgeon.
  • Physicist is a person who studies physics or whose job is connected with physics.

Reference:

  1. dictionary.cambridge.org

lack and lack of?

  • When lack is used as a verb, we do not use of. We just say lack followed by the thing that is missing or that there isn’t enough of. Here are some more examples:
    • The project lacked funding, so it was canceled.
    • He lacks motivation to study.
    • I just started working, so I’m lacking experience.
  • lack can ALSO be used as a `noun`! And when lack is used as a `noun`, then we do say lack of + the thing that is missing or insufficient. Look at these examples of lack being used as a `noun`:
    • The project was canceled due to a lack of funding.
    • His lack of motivation to study results in bad grades.
    • I was disqualified from the job based on my lack of experience.
  • Conclusion:
    • When using lack as a verb, it’s followed directly by an object.
    • When using lack as a noun, we say lack of + the object.

Reference:

  1. espressoenglish.net
  2. dictionary.cambridge.org

do the shopping and go shopping?

  • To do the shopping describes the regular process of going to the supermarket to buy food and the other necessary items we need to live on a day to day basis. There is an aspect of doing this regularly and it is more of an obligation than an enjoyable activity, for most.
  • To go shopping means that your intentions are to buy things because you want to or because you need a new version of something. There isn’t necessarily any routine aspect to this action.

Reference:

  1. tofluency.com
  2. masterkeyenglish.com
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