Confusing Words

false-friends

Word List

Word Definition Example
lend /lend/give something to someone for a short timeCan you lend me your pen? I'll give it back after class.
borrow /ˈbɒrəʊ/take something from someone for a short timeCan I borrow your charger? Mine is at home.
lose /luːz/not be able to find something; not winDon't lose your keys again!
loose /luːs/not tightThese jeans are too loose — I need a belt.
remind /rɪˈmaɪnd/make someone remember somethingCan you remind me to call Grandma tonight?
effect /ɪˈfekt/a result or change (noun)The medicine had an immediate effect — I felt better at once.
affect /əˈfekt/change or influence something (verb)Lack of sleep can affect your concentration.
bored /bɔːd/feeling tired because nothing is interestingI was so bored on the long train journey.
rob /rɒb/take money or things from a person or place (rob + person/place)Two men tried to rob the bank.
sensitive /ˈsensətɪv/easily upset, or easily hurt by somethingMy teeth are very sensitive to cold drinks.

false-friends — Practice

Which word is it?

  1. Give something to someone for a short time:  
  2. Take something from someone for a short time:  
  3. Not be able to find something; not win:  
  4. Not tight:  
  5. Make someone remember something:  
  6. A result or change (noun):  
  7. Change or influence something (verb):  
  8. Feeling tired because nothing is interesting:  
  9. Take money or things from a person or place (rob + person/place):  
  10. Easily upset, or easily hurt by something:  

Complete the sentences

  1. Can I   your charger? Mine is at home.
  2. Can you   me to call Grandma tonight?
  3. I was so   on the long train journey.
  4. Can you   me your pen? I'll give it back after class.
  5. These jeans are too   — I need a belt.
  6. Lack of sleep can   your concentration.
  7. My teeth are very   to cold drinks.
  8. Don't   your keys again!
  9. The medicine had an immediate   — I felt better at once.
  10. Two men tried to   the bank.

false-friends — Answer Key

Which word is it?

  1. lend
  2. borrow
  3. lose
  4. loose
  5. remind
  6. effect
  7. affect
  8. bored
  9. rob
  10. sensitive

Complete the sentences

  1. borrow
  2. remind
  3. bored
  4. lend
  5. loose
  6. affect
  7. sensitive
  8. lose
  9. effect
  10. rob