The culture and habits that we pick up from the people around us shape the way we communicate and behave. Mistakes over the complexities of the English language are common, especially if it’s not your mother tongue. So, check out our list, as it will throw some light on how to avoid some of the words and phrases commonly misused. This list is a good place to start to help you make correct word choices, which will be very useful for your vocabulary score in your IELTS Speaking test.
Stay vs. Live
Stay
Verb
To remain through or during (a period of time): "We stayed a week in New York."
Noun
A sojourn or temporary residence: "A week’s stay in Melbourne."
Live
Verb
To dwell or reside: "She lives in a cottage."
Noun
To cohabit (usually followed by with): "I live with my brother."
You use the word “live” when referring to your home, somewhere permanent and where all your things are. However, if you go on a holiday or a business trip, you’ll most likely stay in a hotel or family or friend’s home. You use the word “stay”, as it refers to a continuous action, which only takes place for a short period of time.
Chop vs. stamp
Chop
Verb
to cut into pieces with short vigorous cutting motions: “She chopped an onion to make soup.”
to cut or sever with a quick, heavy blow or a series of blows, using an axe or hatchet, etc. (often followed by down, off, etc.): “He loves to chop wood.”
Noun
a cut of meat, usually one containing a rib: “I like lamb chops served with chips.”
a short irregular broken motion of waves; choppiness: “There’s too much chop for rowing today.”
Stamp
Verb
Bring down (one’s foot) heavily on the ground or on something on the ground: “Jason stamped his foot and screamed at his friends.”
Crush, flatten, or remove with a heavy blow from one’s foot: “Daisy stamped the dirt from her new shoes.”
Walk with heavy, forceful steps: “Chin Wei stamped out of the room, muttering under his breath.”
Impress a pattern or mark on (a surface, object, or document) using an engraved or inked block: “The officer stamped my passport.”
Fix a postage stamp or stamps on to (a letter): “I offered to stamp the envelope for her.”
Noun
An instrument for stamping a pattern or mark, in particular an engraved or inked block: “All passport holders with visa stamps were allowed in first.”
A characteristic or distinctive impression or quality: “We can proceed with the project, as Oscar as given his stamp of approval.”
A small adhesive piece of paper stuck to something to show that an amount of money has been paid, in particular a postage stamp.
An act or sound of stamping with the foot.
In the business world of some Asian countries, it’s not uncommon for one to ask for a “chop”. What they are actually referring to is a “seal” or “stamp”. The reason for this is probably because they have adopted a version of the Hindi & Malay word – “Chhaap” and “cop”, which means “date stamp”.
Go to bed vs. sleep
Go to bed
Idiom
To retire, especially for the night: "I go to bed at 11:00pm every night."
Sleep
Verb
To rest in a state or reduced consciousness; cease being awake: "I sleep five hours a day."
“Sleep” is used to describe how long you rest for. You use “go to bed” when you specify the time at which you start to rest (sleep).
It’s incorrect for one to say, “I always sleep late”, when they actually mean to say “It’s always late, when I go to sleep” or “I always go to bed late”. “I always sleep late” in fact means “I always sleep for a long time” (meaning you don’t get up until the late morning and early afternoon).
Fill in vs. fill out vs. fill up
Fill in
Verb
To complete a form or questionnaire with requested information: “Fill in the details of your business experience.“
To complete by adding detail, as a design or drawing: “Fill in a sketch with shadow.”
To substitute for: “I am filling in for a colleague who is ill.”
To fill with some material: “Brian filled in a crack with putty.”
(Informal) to supply (someone) with information: “Please fill me in on the morning news.”
Fill out
Verb
To complete (a document, list, etc.) by supplying missing or desired information.
To become larger, fuller, or rounder, as the figure: “James has begun to fill out since I saw him last.”
Fill up
Verb
To fill completely: “I filled up a glass with orange juice.”
To become completely filled: “The open water tank filled up as a result of the steady rain.”
These expressions are commonly confused by non-native speakers. “Fill in” and “fill out” are used when you want someone to complete a questionnaire, survey or form. However, the term “fill up” can’t be used to “complete a form” as it means to make something full, generally with liquid.