Confusing words (part 3)

16. Each vs Every

“Each” and “every” are similar and sometimes they can be used interchangeably. But they’re not exactly the same.

We use “each” when we want to refer to individual things or people in a group.

Have a look at this short paragraph I wrote in Short Stories in English for Beginners

Enjoying what you read keeps you coming back for more. The best way to enjoy reading stories and feel a sense of achievement is by reading each story from beginning to end.

Here I’m emphasising the stories, one by one.

“Every,” on the other hand, is used when we want to refer to things or people as a group. The meaning of “every” is similar to “all”.

Have a look at this paragraph from my book. It’s a clear example of the use of “every.”

One of the main benefits of reading in a foreign language is that you gain exposure to large amounts of words and expressions used naturally. This kind of reading for pleasure in order to learn a language is generally known as ‘extensive reading’. It is very different from reading a textbook in which dialogues or texts are meant to be read in detail with the aim of understanding every word.

17. Economic vs Economical

Both of these are adjectives.

“Economic” describes something connected with the economy of a country.

• Example: Our economic crisis has already caused great pain.

We say something is “economical” when it doesn’t require a lot of money to operate.

• Example: My car only uses a small amount of petrol. It’s quite economical.

18. Emigrate vs Immigrate

If you emigrate, you leave your own country to go and live permanently in another one. You can emigrate to one country from another.

If you immigrate, you come and live permanently in a country after leaving your own. You can immigrate from one country to another.

A couple of examples:

• My family emigrated from Italy to the United States in the 1970.
• Millions of people immigrated to the United States in the 1970.

19. Especially vs Specially

Both these words are adverbs and it may be difficult to hear the difference when people speak.

“Especially” means “particularly” or “above all”. This word doesn’t usually come at the beginning of a sentence.

Here’s an example from Short Stories in English for Beginners.

My sister is very shy. She’s especially shy when she meets new people. ‘Hello … Armando,’ she says. Her face turns red. Then she becomes quiet.

“Specially,” on the other hand, usually means “for a particular purpose.”

• Example: My books were specially written to help you improve your English language skills.

20. Even if vs Even though

“Even though” means “despite the fact that.” It’s similar to “although” but it’s more emphatic.

“Even if” means “whether or not.”

Compare the following pair of sentences:

1. I’ll go for a run even if it rains.
2. I went for a run even though it was raining.

The first sentence means I’ll go for a run whether or not it’ll rain.

The second one means that I went for a run despite the fact that it was raining.