False friends

Words that look borrowed and are not. The more familiar they seem, the more dangerous they are.

First page · the ones that catch almost everybody

The map

actually

in fact, really — NOT currently. For that use currently or at the moment.

eventually

in the end, finally — NOT possibly. For that use possibly or if necessary.

sympathetic

showing understanding — NOT nice or friendly. For that use nice or likeable.

sensible

having good judgement — NOT easily hurt. For that use sensitive.

library

where you borrow books — NOT where you buy them. That is a bookshop.

pretend

to act as if — NOT to demand. For that use to claim or to demand.

assist

to help — NOT to attend. For that use to attend.

control

to have power over — NOT to check. For that use to check.

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	The two meanings
The tempting word	What it really means	What you probably wanted
actually	in fact, really	currently, at the moment
eventually	in the end, finally	possibly, if necessary
sympathetic	understanding, compassionate	nice, friendly, likeable
sensible	showing good judgement	sensitive
pretend	to act as if	to claim, to demand
assist	to help	to attend, to be present at
control	to have power over	to check, to inspect
actual	real, true	current, present

Golden rule

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