Troublesome Words

     When studying a foreign language, learners always come across words which are similar to words in their native language. If the words are from the same origin, Latin in most cases, then they are called cognates. Most of the time cognates have similar meanings; but sometimes through usage, they have come to have different meanings. When this happens, they are known as false cognates. Other times, words just happen to make a learner think of a similar word in his own language but the words have no common origin or meaning.

 

Cognates: Two words which are similar in appearance because they come from the same language origin and have similar meanings

False cognates:  Two words which are similar in appearance but have come to have different meanings in different languages from usage



C
costume: a disguise
     For Halloween, children like to wear superhero costumes.
custom: a habit or tradition
     Halloween is an English custom.



L

library: According to http://dictionary.search.yahoo.com/, it is "a place in which literary and artistic materials, such as books, periodicals, newspapers, pamphlets, prints, records, and tapes, are kept for reading, reference, or lending."

    Many public libraries now have computer stations where people can also consult online, but one must have a library card to use this  service.

bookstore: A store where books are sold.  School and office supplies,

different types of paper and poster board, and gifts are often also sold.

     The beginning of the school year is when bookstores make their largest profit.  People buy not only textbooks, but also notebooks, pencils, paper, and other things from the school lists.


listen vs. hear
When a person listens, he is directing his sense of hearing to a particular sound or voice.
A person, who is not deaf, hears all the time.

Example
 Today I finally had some time to listen (I was going to direct my ability to hear to what he had to say) to Chinger Zapata's webinar on the Verb To BE.  Couldn't believe my ears, when I heard (I was not paying close attention because it was just the introduction) the several moderators say, "Can you listen to me?" when testing the sound system.  The correct question should have been, "Can you hear me?"

Note:  The verb listen is usually followed by the preposition to.
     Most people listen to music on their smart phones or i-pods.
     We should all listen to our parents.
     I don't watch TV but I frequently listen to it while I'm preparing a meal.
     Be quiet and just listen to me for a minute!

BUT
     Be quiet and just listen!