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In this episode: Confusing verbs (say-tell, speak-talk, listen-hear)

Listener Feedback:

Raul (from Valencia)
When do you use “realize”, “notice” ” find out” I think all of them mean the same. Realize and notice es darse cuenta, find out puede ser averiguar o darse cuenta. It’s a mess!

“Realize” means to know and understand something in your mind. It’s a cognitive event. “I realized she didn’t love me anymore.”

“Notice” means to see, hear or feel something. It’s more of a physical event. “Reza, I notice you’re wearing a new shirt today.” / “I notice you’ve had your hair cut.” / I notic you’ve added more salt than normal to the soup.”

Find out = to obtain information. “I need to find out what time the train leaves for Madrid tomorrow.” / “I was the last one to find out that my girlfriend was cheating on me.”

Joaquin Ruiz Rufo (email)
Hi,
I´m looking for information about the use of these sentences, Could you help me?

Look like, like and Look – What’s the difference?

TO LIKE: “I like paella, I like the weather and the people in Valencia.”

TO LOOK: “That new T-shirt looks great.”

TO LOOK LIKE = to be similar to: “That shirt looks like a shirt I used to have.” / “He looks like his brother.” (He and his brother have a similar appearance.)

“Reza doesn’t like getting up early.” (the ACTIVITY of getting up)

“Craig likes to get up early because he can have a slow breakfast, get ready slowly, have a shower.” (he likes the RESULT)

TO BE LIKE: “I’ve never been to Toledo. What’s it like?” / “I don’t know John’s brother. What’s he like?” (¿Cómo es?)

“How’s John’s brother?” (¿Cómo está? – Asking about health)
– He was sick, but he’s better now.”

Jorge Jimenez – Confusing verbs:
I have a question, What is the difference between to say and to tell (decir)?

You say something and you tell a person

“He said hello.” / “He said he wanted to help me.” / “He said something in Spanish.”

“He told my brother to help him.” / “He told the teacher that he had done his homework.”

TELL the truth
TELL a lie
TELL a joke
TELL a story

“Tell me to shut up.”
“Tell John.” – “Say to John.”

prevent/avoid

By avoiding something, you take an action to “go around” the problem. Preventing something means actively interfering to stop something happening.

“I avoided going to the party by saying I was sick.”
“I prevented Reza from coming into the room by closing the door.”

listen to/hear

“To hear a noise” / “Hear people speaking.”

remember/remind

Remind + direct object: “Remind ME to buy milk.”

You remind SOMEONE TO DO something – “Remind me to write the shownotes to this episode.”

I’ve got to leave at 5 p.m. don’t forget to remind me. – Tengo que irme a las 5 de la tarde; no te olvides de recordármelo. (make me remember)

Remember

I remember the day you were born. – Me acuerdo del día en que naciste. / Recuerdo el día en que naciste.

Remember is when you think of a memory (a past experience): I remember the first time I met you.
Remind is when a person or thing makes you think about something. Our show notes remind us what we need to talk about.

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look/see/watch

When you look at something you make an effort – “Look at that man over there!”
When you see something you do not make an effort – “I can’t see you.” / “Did you see John yesterday?”
When you watch something (the TV, a film, a football match) you make an effort to engage in it. – “I’m watching the film” (Watch = to look with attention)

argue/discuss

Argue – discutir (to have a row with someone)
Discuss – hablar (to have a discussion with someone)

fit/suit

Suit – to look good “That shirt really suits you.”
Fit – to be the correct size “This shirt doesn’t fit me anymore. It’s too small.”

meet/know (conocer)

“Reza and Craig MET each other in 1998. They have KNOWN each other for many years.”

Meet (quedar)
“Shall we meet tomorrow?”
– “Yes, let’s meet for a beer.”

do/make

Reza and Craig spoke about ‘do’ and ‘make’ collocations in Episode 1 and Episode 2

raise/rise

Rise does not take an object. It’s an intransitive verb – “The sun rises.”
Raise does take an object so it’s a transitive verb – “Raise your hand.” / “Ask your boss to raise your salary.” / “Ask your boss for a RAISE.” (noun)

‘Rise’ can also be a noun – “The rise of the Roman empire.”

manage/succeed

Succeed IN + gerund – tener exito “John is a lucky guy. He succeeds in everything in life.”
Manage + infinitive – conseguir, lograr (You manage something WITH DIFFICULTY) “Although it was very difficult, I managed to pass my First Certificate exam.”

win/earn (ganar)

WIN: a competition, a game, the lottery money at a casino, a prize, an award
EARN: a salary, money at work, earn respect

bring/take

Bring it HERE
Take it THERE

lend/borrow

LEND TO: “The bank lends money to you.”
BORROW FROM: “You borrow money from the bank.”

“Can I borrow your pen?” – ¿Puedo pedirle prestada tu boli?
“Can you lend me your pen?” – ¿Puedes prestarme tu boli?

allow/let/permit

“Let me help you.”
“Allow me to help you.”
“This contract does not permit you to charge a lot of money.”

wear/carry

“What are you wearing?” / Reza’s wearing smart clothes.”
“When you came in you were carring a briefcase.”

wear/dress – to get dressed/put on

“I get up and put on my clothes. After I put on my clothes I’m wearing them.”
“I get dressed in the morning.”
“Put on your glasses.”

lose/miss

“Reza often misses the bus.”
“Craig sometimes misses English pubs.”

“Reza’s losing his mind.”
“Craig lost 10 euros.”

advise/warn

Advise – aconsejar – “We advise you to listen to this podcast.”
warn – avisar – “Reza warned Craig not to drink that eighth whisky.” / “He warned me against drinking it.”

dismiss/resign

“I resigned from my company.” (I handed in my notice)
“I was dismissed from my company.” (I was sacked/I was fired)

…and now it’s your turn to practise your English. We want you to send us a voice message and practise some of the confusing verbs in this episode. Send your voice messages via inglespodcast.com – speakpipe

Send us an email, or record your voice and send us a sound file, with a comment or question to [email protected] or [email protected].

The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’