LA dreaming #14: What is the difference between... P.1
If I show you the history of my last google search requests, you will find out that most of them are about the difference between some similar english words or constructions. This is quite important thing, because it’s not enough just to know how to define each of them. In order not to get misunderstood at least, it’s always better to make sure that you know which one you’re supposed to use in a particular situation. Below, I’d like to give you and myself again some couples of words and their explanation made up by me, so we won’t get confused with them anymore. Those are not from my searching history, because I’d already known most of them. However they are weak points.
...and yeah, all this heck is going to be divided into few parts ;-)
Part 1.
Here we go:
Under / Underneath / Below / Beneath
All the above-listed are about being more lower then something other. Under is the most common, and you can see this word much more often then other ones from that list. This choice is the safest one. Underneath isn’t so common and means the same but also is used in order to emphasize the location of something. Below is mostly used when we talk about some flat surface and the place of objects on it. Finally, beneath is considered more formal then under, and it is also commonly used in the figural meaning.
E.G.
The cat was sitting under the table.
Thank God, finally I’ve found my ring! It was underneath the sofa!
Picasso’s picture was below the mirror.
He is so arrogant like we are all beneath him.
Used to / Be used to
Used to means some past habits or activities which are no longer actual in the present. That’s just about what was in he past. To be used to means to have a habit, to be accustomed to something.
E.G.
I used to attend LA Fitness. Now I have my membership canceled. (I did attend LA Fitness in the past, but now I don’t.)
I’m used to thinking that everything is going to be okay. (I’m accustomed to having positive thinking)
May / Can
May is mostly about probability and making predictions, whereas Can is about ability and being capable to do something. However, honestly, as far as I got it they are quite interchangeble in many instances. May is more polite and therefore more common in cases of asking for something like a check.
E.G.
May I ask you to do me a favor?
I can’t go to the gym since I got back pain.
To be continued...