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Confusing English words

Confusing grammar words

Small words with big grammar rules: since or for, fewer or less, who or whom, good or well.

Word pairs

  1. 1Since vs ForUse since with a starting point (since Monday, since 2020) and for with a length of time (for three days, for ten years).since /sɪns/for /fɔː/
  2. 2Fewer vs LessUse fewer with plural countable nouns (fewer cars) and less with uncountable nouns (less traffic).fewer /ˈfjuːə/less /les/
  3. 3Among vs BetweenUse between for two separate people or things, and among for a group or crowd where the members aren't seen one by one.among /əˈmʌŋ/between /bɪˈtwiːn/
  4. 4Who vs WhomWho is the subject (who called?) and whom is the object (whom did you call?). In everyday English, who is fine for both.who /huː/whom /huːm/
  5. 5Good vs WellGood is an adjective that describes things (a good job); well is an adverb that describes actions (you did it well).good /ɡʊd/well /wel/
  6. 6Bored vs BoringBored describes how you feel; boring describes the thing that causes that feeling. A boring film makes you bored.bored /bɔːd/boring /ˈbɔːrɪŋ/
  7. 7Ago vs BeforeUse ago to count back from now (two days ago) with the past simple. Use before to count back from another past time, or to mean 'at any time until now'.ago /əˈɡəʊ/before /bɪˈfɔː/
  8. 8Much vs ManyUse many with plural countable nouns (many books) and much with uncountable nouns (much water).much /mʌtʃ/many /ˈmeni/
  9. 9Each vs EveryEach looks at people or things one by one and can be used for two; every looks at the whole group and needs three or more.each /iːtʃ/every /ˈevri/
  10. 10i.e. vs e.g.i.e. means 'that is' and explains or narrows down; e.g. means 'for example' and gives some examples, not the full list.i.e. /ˌaɪ ˈiː/e.g. /ˌiː ˈdʒiː/
  11. 11In time vs On timeOn time means at the planned time, not late. In time means early enough to do something or before it's too late.in time /ɪn ˈtaɪm/on time /ɒn ˈtaɪm/
  12. 12Used to vs Be used toUsed to + verb is a past habit that has stopped (I used to smoke). Be used to + -ing or noun means something is normal for you (I'm used to the noise).used to /ˈjuːst tə/be used to /bi ˈjuːst tə/
  13. 13Already vs YetUse already in positive sentences for something that has happened (I've already eaten). Use yet in questions and negatives (Have you eaten yet? I haven't eaten yet).already /ɔːlˈredi/yet /jet/
  14. 14Few vs A fewA few means some, a small number (positive). Few without 'a' means not many, or not enough (negative).few /fjuː/a few /ə ˈfjuː/
  15. 15Farther vs FurtherUse farther for physical distance and further for distance or for 'more, extra' (further details). If unsure, further is always correct.farther /ˈfɑːðə/further /ˈfɜːðə/
  16. 16I vs MeUse I as the subject, before the verb (Tom and I left). Use me as the object or after a preposition (He called Tom and me; between you and me).I /aɪ/me /miː/