Prefer to vs. Prefer over vs. Prefer than

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Prefer: If you prefer one person or thing to another, you like the first one better.

 

My sister prefers dogs to cats.                 √              

My sister prefers dogs over cats.              √            

My sister prefers dogs than cats.              ✗

My sister prefers dogs rather than cats.              √         

I prefer to drink tea than to drink coffee.            ✗

I prefer to drink tea rather than drink coffee.      √  

 

Which preposition should you use after the verb ‘prefer’? Native as well as non-native speakers have grappled with the situation alike. To cut the story short, if you want to express that you like something more than something else, ‘prefer to’ is always a safer choice.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary of English Usage (MDEU) says that to is the common word used to construct comparisons using prefer: “when it is used to compare two things in the same sentence, the thing that comes second is usually introduced by to.

Hence, ‘prefer… instead of’, ‘prefer… more than’ and ‘prefer… than’ are incorrect.
Some example sentences of ‘prefer to’

Emma prefers prose to poetry.

The old man prefers raincoat to umbrella.

Jane prefers bear to wine.

He prefers tea to coffee.

They prefer train to bus.

Our dog prefers fish to meat.

She prefers skirts to jeans.

Grandpa prefers the town to the country.

[ + -ing verb ] Father prefers staying home to going out.

She prefers her dress to cousin’s.

Everybody in my class prefers football to badminton.

Be Careful! Don’t use any preposition except to in sentences like these. Don’t say, for example ‘ My sister prefers dogs than cats.’

More example sentences of ‘prefer to’

Williams preferred cooking at home to eating in restaurants.

Grandma had two puppies and she preferred them to most people.

Nancy has become lazy, preferring taking a taxi to market to walking.

Be careful! Don’t use ‘prefer to’ when comparing two verbs. Instead, use ‘rather than’ or rephrase the whole sentence.

She would prefer to die rather than (to) go to her ex.          

She would prefer dying to going to her ex.                            

She would prefer to die to go to her ex.                                 

She would prefer to die to going to her ex.                             (awkward)

Notice that ‘prefer’ is rather formal. In spoken English, you often use expressions like… ‘better’ and ‘would rather’ instead. For example, instead of saying ‘my sister prefers dogs to cats’, you can say ‘my sister likes dogs better/rather than cats’.

 

Prefer over:

The use of “prefer over” in place of “prefer to” is less common and many native speakers consider it unnatural, so use it only at your own peril. Some people even say ‘prefer over’ sounds alien to them. Nonetheless, “prefer over” is gaining a bit of ground in passive voice:

Dane prefers having dogs over cats.

The democratic states are preferred to/over the less democratic ones.

Many plus-size women simply prefer the solid colours and will choose them over the other patterns.

When it comes to buying house, Sarah prefers private showing over open house visit.

 

Strictly speaking ‘Prefer than’ is incorrect.

 

Our survey shows that a vast majority of women prefer Jimmy Choo than other brands. 

However, if the sentence is rephrased by adding the comparative words “better” or “rather”, it would also be correct. (Conjunctive phrases connect two grammatical equivalents.

She much prefers it when her father tells her that than the other people do.     

Our survey shows that a vast majority of women prefer Jimmy Choo over other brands.

Our survey shows that a vast majority of women prefer Jimmy Choo better/ rather than other brands.

Around the world vs. Across the world vs. All over…

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Around the world = around the world (or globe); all over the world; everywhere in the world (or globe); in many parts of the world; in a large proportion of Earth; in various parts of Earth; around Earth from east to west, or west to east, thus crossing all meridians. Examples: The company has many customers around the world. Acid rains have recently killed a vast volume of forests around the world. A wide variety of science experiments are being carried out around the world each day.

 

Across the world = throughout, all over, from one side to the other of, right through (the world). Examples: The disease is affecting millions of children across the world every day. Football is a universal language for millions of people across the world. Engagement with civil society organizations across the world is essential.

 

All over the world = throughout the world; in every part of the world. Examples: The place attracts visitors from all over the world/throughout the world. Examples: Wives are the same all over the world. Soy products are used all over the world. Selfishness is extreme all over the world.

 

At best you could draw a subtle difference between ‘across’ and ‘all over’. ‘Across’ involves a one-dimension movement, literally on the surface of something like a playground, street etc. ‘All over the world’ involves a scattering or dotting image, suggesting that ‘whether you move south, north, west or, east, wherever you go, you will ….’

 

When we come to actual usage, ‘around the world’ is relatively more popular than ‘across the world,’ according to a comparison of the two phrases in thousands of books tracked by Google’s Ngram Viewer. As you can see, ‘around the world’ is way ahead of ‘across the world’ in the usage and there has been an upward trend over the past many years in the number of people using it. However, ‘all over the world’ simply means ‘throughout the world’; ‘in every part of the world.’

 

Now the question is: Are the three phrases always interchangeable or is there difference in terms of their meaning or collocate? The google search results testify there are far more sentences that come with ‘around the world‘ and ‘all over the world’ comparing to ‘across the world.’

 

Also,

‘Across the globe’: if you go ‘across’ a globe, you are talking about many countries.

‘The world over’: Everywhere on the earth. ‘Smiling is the same language the world over’.

 

Some example sentences of ‘around the world’

 

It is a raw material found in great quantities all around the world.

There remain many thousands of nuclear warheads around the world.

After the truce, leaders from countries all around the world met for the first time.

The organisations gathered volunteers around the world.

This is a best model and representatives from big companies around the world will be attending.

Additional technical support will be provided by technical experts selected from around the world.

Many young professionals and scholars from around the world will participate in the summit.

The employment of millions of workers around the world has been struck off with the stroke of a pen.

This is the challenge of human rights currently addressed by many leaders around the world.

Its national committees and programs around the world bring environmentalists together on these issues.

 

More example sentences of ‘around the world’

 

They may not have invented the battery, but millions of people around the world would agree that they perfected it.

Some estimates suggest that there are around 1.3 billion poor around the world who live on an income of less than $1 a day.

It is restoring peace, bringing solace and offering hope to millions of people afflicted by conflict and complex crises around the world.

Now we have introduced an environmental management system at all our 150 manufacturing sites around the world.

Companies are now offering a wide range of products and services from which people around the world can choose.

Our caring non-government organisations give poor children from around the world an opportunity to live a better life.

Products for children with special needs are subject to the most stringent quality and safety standards all around the world.

 

Some example sentences of ‘across the world’

 

The country has made thousands of enemies all across the world.

But the wealth is very unevenly distributed across the world.

There are signs of growth in the information technology across the world.

The tensions between both countries play out in different ways across the world.

The negative fallout of environmental degradation is felt all across the world.

We will continue working with you and others like you across the world.

Today, millions of people across the world work from their homes thanks to this pandemic.

We stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of democracy and freedom across the world.

 

More example sentences of ‘across the world’

 

The president wished to convey a deep message of condolence to all Catholics across the world.

Now it is our priority to build friendly relations with countries in our region and those across the world.

For the inaugural award in 2021, an impressive 56 applications from 42 cities across the world were received in 2022.

Our highly qualified doctors and specialists work in almost 60 locations across the world to perfect advanced technologies in healthcare sector.

Across the world violence, censorship and ownership of the media by a few big companies threaten the plurality of free speech.

 

Some example sentences of ‘all over the world’

 

These products are available all over the world.

Passport simulates training stages all over the world.

Women all over the world carry designer handbags.

Religious fanaticism is spreading all over the world.

Design industries all over the world prefer SOLIDWORKS experience.

MBBS certificates are commonly recognized all over the world.

Travellers were stranded all over the world due to travel ban amid Covid-19.

The cartoons have offended many Muslims all over the world.

The Prime Minister’s speech is attracting attention all over the world.

The investigating agency of the country has operatives all over the world tracking aliens.

Italian cuisine is in demand all over the world.

We hope to build and develop lasting friendly relations between countries all over the world.

In these times, people all over the world are living in desperate poverty.

Mr. Wilson has travelled all over the world and has never been denied access to any country. 

 

More example sentences of ‘all over the world’

 

There is a great number and variety of TANDEM Schools all over the world.

It would be our pleasure to have children and young people from all over the world.

The company’s dynamic team manages group trips requests all over the world.

Amid the war and destruction, meetings were held with leaders from all over the world.

All over the world we find very interesting projects which end in hands of big companies and this will continue happening.

There are engineering companies and research centres from all over the world, whose purpose is to exchange technical know-how.

With a click, you can find locations all over the world: cities, streets and addresses, and places to go to.

So we are glad to belong to this great company; we are glad to have managers and representatives all over the world.

It was estimated that at least three hundred thousand child soldiers were participating in armed conflicts all over the world.

Arouse vs. Rouse

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Arouse (int.v.) = The verb arouse means 1- to awaken from sleep; to stimulate to action or to bodily readiness for activity; 2- to excite: a newspaper report that has aroused debate; 3- to excite (someone) sexually: to cause sexual arousal in (someone). Examples: He was aroused from a deep sleep by a loud noise. The debate aroused a lot of interest in the subject of history. He was snoring so loudly and nothing would arouse him. He couldn’t keep his eyes off the television; the clippings aroused him greatly.

 

Rouse (tr.v.) = The verb rouse means 1- to arouse from or as if from sleep or repose; 2- to stir up; 3- (int. v.) to become aroused; 4- to become stirred. Examples: He was roused by the drunken men in the street. (= awaken). A soft knock on the door barely roused Jane from her deep sleep. He roused and looked around. (cease to sleep or to be inactive; wake up)

 

Hence, the verb arouse is usually used figuratively or in reference to ‘make someone have a particular feeling’ while rouse more commonly refers to physical action and things that inspire action. Also, arouse is more often used in context of sex, so use it with caution! And rouse generally relates to ‘wake someone up’ or ‘make someone active’.

 

Some example sentences of ‘arouse’

 

The judgement being rather vague, it aroused strong feelings against Judge Goldsmith.

The prime minister’s speech is so well delivered that aroused a lot of interest among the audience.

The game was really well played and that’s why it aroused so much interest among the spectators.

The woman’s strange behaviour and gestures aroused suspicion among shopkeepers.

The place was so deserted and there were some strange noises coming from around the old church which aroused a sense of fear among us.

Something about the stuffed bag aroused the guard’s suspicions.

The movie aroused a lot of interest among its viewers.

The final match aroused a lot of passion among the ardent supporters.

The new dam proposals in the village are arousing unneeded discomfort among local peasants.

 

Notice that we frequently use ‘aroused’ in the English vocabulary, while ‘roused’ is used rarely. You’d better avoid the word ‘roused’ because it sounds unnatural. On the other hand, when using the word ‘aroused’, make sure in what context you are trying to say it – for sexual related feelings or other feelings. In American English, we only use the word ‘aroused’ for sexual related feelings, so it may just be best to avoid it in general!

 

Some example sentences of ‘rouse’

 

Jane’s evasiveness roused his curiosity.

She was roused after a small nap to the sounds of hawkers’ yelling. (When ‘aroused’ and ‘roused’ are being used as verbs for waking up, they are the same).

She was roused from a deep sleep by a hand on her shoulder. (cause to stop sleeping)

A weak cry roused him just as he was nodding off to sleep.

There, I roused Simon and Jane, leading them both out.

The novel roused the readers’ emotions by overt descriptions of violence.

And the dog growled back, simply annoyed at being roused from its sound sleep.

On her return to US, she made two attempts to rouse interest in the book.

Martha’s initial anger began to melt away as her curiosity was roused.

 

More example sentences of ‘arouse’

 

He had been aroused from deep slumber.

He admits he is aroused by jealousy.

It didn’t offend me, amuse me, arouse me, or astound me.

She admitted that she gets really sexually aroused by books.

He went upstairs and aroused his wife from her slumber.

Her interest was aroused in him because of the clothes that he was wearing.

And the coverage of Russians atrocities aroused feelings of shame rather than pride.

The economic slowdown aroused feelings of anxiety and apprehension among people.

Nobody is willing to talk about an issue that arouses violent feelings on both sides.

Alarmed at the violent demonstrations by the locals, Judge Bridgestone closed the hearings to the public.

Even a normal, healthy body weight may arouse feelings of tension and panic.

You should work on a subject that arouses real feelings, something that actually touches you.

But now the people are aroused and agitated by his failures to deliver on his several promises.

The food that aroused us most through smell alone included S’mores, Cronut, Chicken and Waffles.

Everybody in the hall was aroused by the images of disaster.

He further aroused the fans, shaking his fist in the air after winning the last set.

Behaviour of this sort arouses every cultured person and no haziness or lack of clarity can excuse him.

Politicians found it was easy to arouse people on issues like nationalism.

Merely arousing students to action once may not suffice to bring them out of lethargy.

How dare that the school think students would be sexually aroused by such clothes?

While men are aroused visually, women are more aroused by words.

Martha was aroused by the smell of smoke – to find the neighbour’s house on fire.

It was only then that the sound of approaching train had aroused him from his slumber.

Her alarm went off at 5 in the morning, arousing her from a peaceful sleep.

In a few days the refugees have succeeded in arousing feelings of disgust that they did not manage to arouse for decades.

 

More example sentences of ‘rouse’

 

He’d just stay a few more minutes, then rouse himself and go back.

George tried unsuccessfully to rouse himself from his stupor after the break-up.

Sarah’s thoughts were interrupted as a knock at the door roused her.

It rouses some sort of emotion in her: anger, jealousy, the desire to hurl things.

A knock on the door roused her from her seat, and she was more than a little reluctant to answer it.

He didn’t know what had roused him from his sleep, and he sat in bed thinking for a moment.

Jane took after her husband: both were roused to argue easily, but quickly found their anger cooling.

They quarrelled, like any couple in love and they both had terrible tempers when they were roused.

A sudden knock on the door roused her from her deliberations, and she called out an invitation without checking the identity of the visitor.

The labours unions had been roused to anger by a recent decision of the government to nationalize the railways.

Misinformation vs. Disinformation

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Misinformation = the false information which is intended to mislead; incorrect or misleading information.

Disinformation = false information, deliberately misleading or biased information; manipulated narrative or facts; propaganda. Disinformation is knowingly spreading misinformation. Information which is spread to make someone or something look good or bad can be disinformation.

 

Examples: There’s a lot of misinformation about the coronavirus that needs to be corrected.

In the chaotic hours after they filed for divorce, a lot of misinformation was reported in the media.

They spread disinformation in order to destroy her career in politics.

The foreign media claimed there was an official disinformation campaign by the junta government.

 

Misinformation can be differentiated from disinformation, which is deliberately deceptive. If you are spreading around information that is wrong but you don’t know it is wrong, then you are spreading misinformation. Hence, misinformation doesn’t care about intent, and so is simply a term for any kind of wrong or false information.

 

Hence, misinformation refers to untrue or out-of-context information that is presented as fact notwithstanding an intent to deceive. Disinformation is a type of misinformation that is intentionally false and intended to be deliberately deceptive.

Both misinformation and disinformation involve the sharing of bad or disproved information, with contrasting intents and purposes.

 

Disinformation in comparison with misinformation is a relatively new word, first recorded in 1965–70. It’s a translation of the Russian word dezinformátsiya, in turn based on the French désinformer (“to misinform”).

 

In English language, the prefix dis- can be used to specify a reversal or negative instance of the word that follows. For example, disrespect and disobedience are opposites or negations of respect and obedience. Disinformation, then, can be meant as “reverse information” or “anti-information” specifically created to lie to and mislead other people.

 

To be precise, use the word disinformation when you know for a fact that false or erroneous information is being spread on purpose to hurt or damage, especially a government, organization, or public figure. If you can’t figure out for certain why someone is spreading bad information, it’s best to use misinformation.

 

What distinguishes misinformation from disinformation is the author’s intent and whether they know that the information is false. So, misinformation is bad information that you thought was true and disinformation is also bad information that you knew wasn’t true.

 

Some example sentences of ‘misinformation’

 

The admin took great pains to have this misinformation corrected.

Postponement of exams was a deliberate piece of misinformation.

There had been worries that it could have been deliberate misinformation.

It has become just another part of the whole elaborate web of half-truths, misinformation and spin.

Letters of apology were sent to Martha by those who had spread misinformation about her.

How sad Philips! You have allowed yourself to be used by mischief-makers to publish misinformation.

The most of information and propaganda on electronic voting machines is based on misinformation.

A lot of misinformation, exaggerated fictions and relics of wartime propaganda are being reported in the media.

These loud anchors, sold out editors don’t want to give people news or information -they give them misinformation.

And they came out with a whole host of false propaganda and the government is fighting back against that misinformation.

To spread misinformation and make disparaging and derogatory remarks about any group is unacceptable.

 

Some example sentences of ‘disinformation’

 

It was a highly coordinated disinformation campaign to malign the Leftists.

They systematically manipulated the entire intelligence system with clever disinformation.

The employees union has insisted that a campaign of disinformation is under way.

During a war both sides hide their correct information and spread disinformation.

This propaganda is full of misinformation, disinformation, noninformation, and just plain lies.

How could the common man distinguish between information and disinformation spread by the press?

Soviet spokesmen kept up a steady stream of denials and disinformation on Ukraine war

We are being fed with a deluge of information and disinformation on this one day in day out.

What worries most is the malicious and continuous disinformation given by media to the people.

They argued that the ISIS would not have missed such an opportunity to feed the West disinformation.

The misinformation and disinformation that is being fed makes it impossible for any fair-minded commentator to take sides in the issue.

It was all disinformation which they backed up with fictitious facts and figures to make it appear genuine that he siphoned off public funds for private business ventures.

If I were he/ him

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When we deal with two pronouns at the same time in a statement, we use both pronouns either in subjective or objective case: ‘He and I arranged the party’; ‘if you don’t want to go alone, you can take either her or me along’, ‘she and I are schoolmates.’

He and I are old buddies.                              (NOT He and me are old buddies)

The boss and I were in the office.

The teacher made a copy of the project for Kelly and me.

Jack and I are planning a visit to grandma.

 

We use subjunctive when we want to express wishes or desires. Example: I wish she were my teacher.

 

In the case of ‘If I were he/ him…’, we need the subject pronoun because it is the subject complement and not the object. The rule says the pronoun that follows a linking verb is and should be a subject complement, not an object. Here, ‘were’ is a linking verb and needs predicate nominative after it. Like, ‘This is he’. So, we’ll take the subject pronoun ‘he’ and not the object pronoun ‘him’: ‘If I were him, I would do the same’; ‘if I were she, I would dump that loser’.

However, it would be curious to know in the case of ‘It’s me’ or ‘It is I’, where you could also correctly use the subject pronoun ‘It is I.’ Though the sentence with subject pronoun seems absolutely correct, it doesn’t sound good to ears.

 

Some examples of ‘if I were he’

If I were he, I would resign from that position.

He walked to the station; if I were he, I’d take a taxi.

I wouldn’t worry too much about that stupid girl if I were he.

I’d definitely apply for that job if I were he.

I wouldn’t give it too much importance if I were he.

So if I were he, I’d just leave the matter aside and talk about the future.

I would take that ‘racist’ remark too seriously if I were he.

I think it counts as ‘average’, and I wouldn’t worry if I were he.

I’d give her a call if I were he, and work something out.

If I were she, I would wear pink eye shadow.

 

Remember that in conversation and in informal writing, you could also use ‘was’: ‘If I was a car mechanic, I’d service my car myself’; ‘if everything was okay, this wouldn’t happen’.

Too much vs much too

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As a quantifier, ‘too much’ means ‘an excess of’ needing a noun group; it simply denotes overfull, and will only quantify volumes (i.e. too much coffee, too much rain) whereas ‘much too’ is a secondary modifier, of an adjective or adverb and it means strong by a large margin; it can modify the whole phrase too strong (i.e. much too fast, much too heavy). Too much modifies a noun, a verb, or an adverb, and much too modifies an adjective or an adverb.

Too much = great in quantity, measure, or degree; an intolerable, impossible, or exhausting situation or experience. We use too much if the quantity becomes too big, much is preceded by too: ‘too much cake’, ‘the suffering was too much for her’, the defeat proved a little bit too much for us’.

 

Example sentences of too much

That’s too much.

She talks too much. 

They haven’t got too much time.

The country’s junta leader has too much power.

There’s far too much sugar in my coffee. 

When the pressure got too much, they had to bow out and quit.

She has been assigned too much homework.

There is too much chemical waste in the river.

 

Be careful!

Don’t say too much hot or too much full. Instead say, much too hot or much too full.

 

Much too = describes an excessive quantity; much too is less frequent and its construction is made with an adjective; MUCH TOO + ADJECTIVE: ‘The chicken curry was much too salty’; ‘the interview was much too tough for most of the students’; this suitcase is much too heavy, you can’t carry it! (much has the function of ‘increasing’; denotes the suitcase far too heavy).

 

Example sentences of much too

You are much too late.

She was driving much too fast.

Our opponents are much too powerful.

The place was much too cold.

The price is much too high for us.

The trunk is much too big for that little porter.

You are flying much too high, Daniel, we must need oxygen.

This house is much too expensive for us to buy.

 

Notice that in sentences like these we place much in front of too, not after it. For example:

The place was too much cold.    X

The place was much too cold.    √

 

Much too much = a far larger amount of something than you want or need: You’ve drunk much too much to drive’; ‘I’ve much too much to do’.

 

Notice that ‘much too much’ has also a ‘funny’ expression describing a real excess or exaggeration:

She’s talked much too much today… she’d better start learning to be silent!

 

More example sentences of too much

Is it too much to ask to have a seat beside her?

They have too much to deal with right now.

There’s been too much rain and the lakes are overflowing their banks.

Sarcasm was obviously too much for her as she closed the door briskly after her.

The lesson was maybe a little bit too much for them, but how else do you learn?’

He needs to have his eyesight tested because he watches too much TV.

Since she’s been working too much, her condition is deteriorating.

He drank too much wine at the party and collapsed outside the club.

Much as Emma likes stirring up a bit of a buzz, there are times when it can be too much even for her.

Emma’s got exams next week and she has just started her new Yoga classes, so she’s already got too much on her plate.


More example sentences of much too

She doesn’t want to go to the movies tonight because she’s much too tired.

Liam said that the novel was boring and it was much too lengthy.

I think our new English teacher speaks much too quickly.

The car is moving much too slowly; I think there’s some problem.

Though she’s working much too hard, she’s not letting the boss take advantage of her.

The same…as vs the same…that

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When we talk about comparisons, we normally use the expressions ‘the same…as’ and ‘the same…that’. Both expressions mean almost the same – very alike in appearance, behaviour, traits, characteristics, etc., as someone or something else. If something is happening the same as something else, the two things are happening in a way that is similar or exactly the same: ‘The movie was released in the same year as The Dark Knight was released’ and ‘the movie was released in the same year that The Dark Knight was released.’ Both sentences with the constructions ‘the same…as’ and ‘the same…that’ are acceptable. However, the construction ‘the same… as’ is considered more common than the one with ‘the same… that’.
R. W. Burchfield states in his book ‘Fowler’s Modern English Usage’ that when used as an attributive adjective same is usually construed with as. Having said that, in some situations, we use ‘that’ after ‘the same’.
We are here trying to differentiate between the two in the following sentences:
The dagger used in the murder was the same that had been used before.
The dagger used in the murder was the same as the one used before.
According to first sentence, a dagger was used twice, while in second sentence, a different dagger was used each time but they looked the same.
Various types of constructions with ‘the same… as’
She entered the ‘Game of Thrones’ at the same age as Sophie Turner had entered six years earlier. (‘as’ followed by introducing a clause)
Other evidences point in the same direction as the first evidence of the case. (‘as’ followed by a noun or noun phrase)
He gave me the same stern look as before.  (‘as’ followed by an adverb)
When we use the same with a noun, we can follow it by a clause with that, and less commonly with who or which. We can often leave out that, who or which: He’s the same person (that) I spoke to when I applied for my visa.
Be careful!
Use as after a linking verb and NOT that:
This sweater is the same colour as that one.    √
This sweater is the same colour that that one.   X
Example sentences of the same…as
Her idea is the same as his.
He’s the same age as his mother-in-law.
She has the same jacket as you have.
Eggs cost the same in retail as they do in wholesale.
Your sister’s wedding is the same as everyone else’s!
She looks exactly the same as she did fifteen years ago.
My neighbour has the same car as my uncle.
He was born on the same day as his brother.
My wife gets the same pay as me but she gets her own car.
I think that Emma’s frock is the same as Amelia’s one.
This tie is the same as the one you bought me on my birthday.
These shoes are the same as the ones I wanted to buy last month.

More example sentences of the same…as
The US just wanted the war to end, the same as other countries did.
Is it the same as going back to school?
He was wearing exactly the same T-shirt as I was.
She wants her relationship to stay the same as the day she met.
The officer again asked him about the murder, and he gave the same answer as before.
It’s the same as calling your friends at your place and having dinner with them.
Doing a job perfectly is not the same as spending a lot of time on it.
The harvest of green mussels this year is going to be the same as it has been previously.
So she put her hair up in the same ponytail as yesterday and casually put on any clothes.
The house is constructed in much the same (=almost the same) way as it was 100 years ago.
Example sentences of the same…that
Your shirt is the same as that one.
Losing your hair isn’t the same as going bald.
It’s the same novel (that) I read when I was at college.
She put on the same dress that she had worn at her sister’s wedding.
The one who fixed the tap is the same person that did it a week ago.
This hotel is the same hotel that was used last year for the meeting.
More example sentences of the same…that
Is this a different airplane or the same airplane that is believed to have crashed in Cross Lake?
The man we met yesterday in the market is the same man that we saw at the mall.
These combat trousers are the same that Mother bought you on your last birthday.
The same ideas that Plato put forward 2500 years ago still influence some modern thinking.
She ran the same distance that Emma did, but her time was 5 minutes less than her.

Still vs. Yet

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We use still and Yet as adverbs to talk about things that have (or haven’t) happened over time. Though their meanings and uses are obvious, there are many situations in which they are used interchangeably to convey a similar idea: She says she doesn’t like her boss, still/ yet she won’t stop working for him. 

Now, let’s talk about the uses of these two words separately.
Still: we use still as an adverb to refer to an action or a condition which began previously and is continuing until now: ‘They have been married for 20 years and they are still very much in love’, ‘We’re still waiting for our new building site plan to be approved’.

We usually place still between the subject and the main verb, or after the modal verb or first auxiliary verb, or after be as a main verb:

Amelia still goes to zumba classes every Saturday. (between subject and main verb)

She’s still learning French. (after the modal verb or first auxiliary verb)

They’re still complaining. (after main verb be)

 

We stress still and place it before the auxiliary or modal verb, when we want to show that the continuing situation is not considered necessary, especially when it is used in a negative clause:

She moved into a new house one month ago and still hasn’t got the occupancy certificate. (still is stressed)

He still can’t find his car keys. (still is stressed – he’s been looking for it for a long time)

We offered $10,000 for that old car but they still wanted more. (still is stressed for something that is true in spite of other things)

I am not very good at dancing. Still, I had gone for it or they’d have been offended. (still in front position to mean ‘on the other hand’ or ‘nevertheless’)

Yet: we use yet as an adverb to represent an action which is supposed to be started until now, but it fails to occur or start by the given time frame: ‘The project has not been completed yet’, ‘Where are you going for the vacation?’ ‘I don’t know yet.’

 

Convergence of Still and yet

We use yet and still in negative statements to express something that wasn’t true in the past and is even not true in the present. That is where ‘still’ and ‘yet converge. For example: in ‘Isabella still hasn’t signed up for online classes’ and ‘Isabella hasn’t signed up for online classes yet’; ‘Children still haven’t finished their lunch’ and ‘Children haven’t finished their lunch yet’ – each pair of these sentences, one with yet and one with still, means almost the same thing. However, in most cases, still comes with a sense of impatience that doesn’t happen with yet.

 

Be careful!

We use still not yet to refer to the continuation of a situation:

She is still in touch with her old flame.    (she continues to be in touch with her old flame)            

She is yet in touch with her old flame.                ✗

In some societies, the dowry still prevails among the middle classes.        

In some societies, the dowry yet prevails among the middle classes.         ✗

 

Example sentences of still

Grandfather still lives in that dilapidated old house. (he was living in that house in the past, and he continues to live there)

It’s still raining!
It was still dark outside.
Do you still want to go over there?

She still lives with her ex-husband. 

Do you still have her phone number? 

She is still not ready for the party.

I can still remember that rainy night.

I still can’t remember his name.

I still do not know exactly what happened that evening.

 

More example sentences of still

Liam is still busy. 

It is still raining.

The boss is still in the office.

If she still wants to join us, she can.

Is your younger brother still at school?

I still don’t know what you’re talking about. 

The train hasn’t left yet. It is still there.

He still hasn’t found a buyer for his house.

I still haven’t found my car keys. I know it’s here somewhere. 

 

Example sentences of yet

Have you got the transfer letter yet? (refers to a time which starts in the past and continues up to the present)

Despite putting enough time and energy into this project, they haven’t finished it yet.

Emma hasn’t enrolled for the modern art course yet.      (in negative statements, an event is expected to happen in the future)

I haven’t seen ‘Jungle Cruise’ yet. 

Are they home yet? (in affirmative, it shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen)

Has your parcel arrived yet? 

Haven’t children arrived from school yet? (Negative questions can express a stronger expectation of something)

 

More example sentences of yet

It isn’t raining yet.

Haven’t you done your household chores yet? 

She’s got a lot more work to do yet. 

Have you completed your homework yet?

‘Is breakfast ready?’ ‘No, not yet.’

Supposed to vs. expected to

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Be supposed to meaning ‘to be expected to’ or ‘to be required to’ is a common phrase that functions the same way as a modal verb does. The modal verbs also known as auxiliary or helping verbs express ability, possibility, permission, or obligation: ‘I have to be home before midnight or my father will be mad at me’; ‘I’m supposed to be home before midnight or my father will be mad at me’.

 

Be expected to means ‘(someone/ something) be required to fulfil an obligation’. So, be expected to and be supposed to are the same in meaning but be expected to specifically involves another person or people who were expecting us to do it: ‘She is expected to tidy her own room’; ‘you are expected to return the money by Friday’.

Example sentences of be supposed to

Was the train supposed to be here so early?

She is supposed to arrive tomorrow.

It is Sunday evening; they are supposed to turn in early.

The magician is supposed to saw a woman in half.

She is supposed to be the best professor in university.

The word is supposed to be derived from Arabic.

He’s supposed to be meeting her at the court.

 

We also use ‘be supposed to’ to express what a person (or thing) is likely to do or is reputed to do: ‘It was supposed to rain tonight’; ‘he is supposed to be the best architect in town’.

 

Be careful!

Suppose (without the d) should only be used as the present tense of the verb meaning to assume (something to be true).

 

More example sentences of be supposed to

Children are supposed to be quiet in class.            (required or expected but maybe not always done)

You are supposed to be at work today.                  (but you aren’t because you feel sick)

You are supposed to listen to your teachers.

The maid is supposed to mop up the spilt milk before she goes home.

What am I supposed to do in a situation like this?’ ‘Do what you’re supposed to.’

 

Was/ were supposed to…implies that you did not do what you were supposed to do: ‘you were supposed to be at the airport by 7’. (but you didn’t and so you missed the flight); You were supposed to go walking to the library.  (but you rode bicycle)

 

She was supposed to be here yesterday.

She was supposed to wash the dishes last night.

The party was supposed to be a surprise.

We were not supposed to leave the office unattended.

The movie was supposed to win a round of applause at the International forum, but it didn’t.

 

Example sentences of be expected to

Employers are expected to pay reasonable wages to workers.

If they don’t have the right to vote, why then, should they be expected to abide by rules?

As a citizen of this country, you are expected to pay your taxes on time.

We are expected to pay by a certain date even though the development will not be completed.

You are not expected to know everything, but let them assume you are willing to learn.

 

More example sentences of be expected to

Governments cannot be expected to provide with facilities unless people pay their taxes.

Now I am expected to pay the arrears I owe them through their inept management of resources.

He soon realised he was expected to be a role model, mentor and support the country.

In these times of pandemic, employers are expected to allow their workers to work from home.

The bottom line is that you are expected to have some sense of what you want to do in terms of career goals.

 

Was/ were expected to… also broadly denotes that you did not do what you were expected to do: ‘you were expected to be at the airport by 7’. (but you didn’t as the plans changed)

 She was expected to pay her bills, but had no money to do so.

When her parents died, she was expected to take up the role of a parent and care for younger siblings.

Could vs. was/were able to vs. managed to

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We use ‘could’, ‘was/were able to’ and ‘manage to’ (the past form) to talk about ability in the past: ‘she could finish the exam faster than anyone else’; ‘he wasn’t able to answer the police officer’s queries’; ‘he managed to finish the work on time’, etc. We use was/were able to (= had the ability to) and managed to (= succeeded in doing something difficult) when we talk about achieving something on a specific occasion in the past. In contrast, we usually don’t use could when we’re talking about ability at a specific moment in the past.

He was able to push his way through the crowd to reach the dais.            √ 

He managed to push his way through the crowd to reach the dais.           √ 

He could push his way through the crowd to reach the dais.                     ✗ 

 

Could = We usually use could or couldn’t to talk about general abilities in the past: ‘She could speak Japanese before she started school’; he couldn’t drive until he was thirty’; ‘when I lived next to the Nitehawk, I could go to cinema every day’.

Example sentences of could

He couldn’t touch the ceiling. It’s too high.

A lot of them couldn’t survive.

Isabella couldn’t finish her project last night.

I’m sure Liam could find out for you.

There’s no way you could reach the station by yourself.

Nobody could tell my clothes were dirty.

When he was young, he could easily get through this window.

Be careful!

Don’t use could to talk about single events that happened in the past.

I could buy a wonderful watch on his birthday.          ✗ 

I was able to/managed to buy a wonderful watch on his birthday. (right)

She could surprise Father yesterday.                        ✗ 

She was able to surprise Father yesterday.               √ 

However, with verbs of the senses (touch, see, smell, taste, hear, etc.) and mental processes (believe, think, understand, remember, etc.), we can use could:

The food served last night was awful. I could taste nothing but salt.

The officer came and asked for my identity, but I couldn’t see his name tag.

 

Notice that we also use could to talk about ability in the present, but in different context. If we say that someone could do something, we mean that they have the ability to do it, but they don’t necessarily do it: the governments could do much more to tackle the pandemic.
More example sentences of could

All that one could do at this point is stay back home and pray for others.

He couldn’t handle the situation all by himself, and called others to help him out.

Several make-shift hospitals were built so that the injured could get treatment.

Grandmother was stunned by the sheer volume of sound that two high volume speakers could make.

My brother and I wanted to sign up for the class so that we could take it together for sharing family car.

We could see nothing except for the dust as the truck disappeared just as quickly.

 

Was/were able to = When we talk about past ability, we use ‘could’ or ‘was/were able to’ to tell an ability that existed in the past for a long time, but no longer exists now: ‘when she was ten, she was able to speak French fluently’.

Example sentences of was/were able to

Only one person was able to clear the interview.

After several weeks in hospital, she was able to return to work.

The company was able to pay their employees’ wages after lockdown.

Williams would never be able to afford such a big house.

The vacation was relaxing and she was able to read a lot.

The police weren’t able to catch the speeding truck.

 

More example sentences of was/were able to

We were able to/managed to drive 800 miles in that old car in just a couple of days.

When the government adds in council tax and other bills, we wouldn’t be able to afford that.

 The year 2020 has really been a hard year and we would have never been able to afford to pay for it.

People who have been displaced are worried they might not be able to afford to return to their homeland.

I hope you will be able to take a few moments to read the manual and follow the instructions.

It is unclear yet if any of the athletes will be able to compete at the international level.

It seems just wonderful to be able to write anything you want and post it on the internet.

Liam has just started to be able to walk but will never have full mobility again.

 

Manage to = When we talk about doing something difficult, especially after trying hard, we use  ‘manage to’: ‘managed to get a travel pass’; ‘managed to see the President’;  ‘managed to get into that crowded tram’.

Example sentences of manage to 

How did you manage to persuade him?

Did you manage to get any drinks?

Atlanta United managed one goal in the last ten minutes. 

I only just managed to arrive at the airport on time.

The patrolling squad had somehow managed to survive the terror attack.

Be Careful!
Use a to-infinitive, not an –ing form, after manage. ‘How did you manage persuading him?  (✗ )  

In written English, we often use ‘succeed in doing something’ rather than ‘manage to do something’ because it sounds more formal: ‘At a time of pandemic, Prime Minister succeeded in restoring hope’.

More example sentences of manage to 

The prisoners managed to escape from jail.

The burglar managed to break into our office downtown and stole cash.

They had been working on it for weeks but they didn’t manage to finish it on time.

They managed to get a really good price on the bungalow.

I managed to persuade Liam to volunteer for community service.

She studied for months but didn’t manage to pass the exam.

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