The words between and among, big and large, born and borne etc., are often confused. Can you use them correctly? Test your knowledge with this exercise.
Complete the following sentences using an appropriate word.
1What are the main differences ............... foxes, wolves, and dogs?
Wrong!
Use "between" when comparing clearly separate people or things, even if there are more than two.
2I was standing ............... Maria and Tessa.
Wrong!
Use "between" for a position in the middle of two people or things.
3You are making a ............... mistake.
Wrong!
The natural collocation is "big" in the phrase "a big mistake".
4Her work shows ............... brilliance.
Wrong!
Use "great" to mean impressive or exceptional in "great brilliance".
5The river is 100 meters ...............
Wrong!
Use "wide" to describe the measurement from one side of a river to the other.
6Hundreds of children are ............... blind or deaf every year.
Wrong!
Use "born" when talking about the condition a baby has at birth.
7My parents were ............... in Malaysia.
Wrong!
Use "born" for the passive meaning of coming into life.
8She has ............... three children in four years.
Wrong!
Use "borne" when the mother is the subject and the verb means given birth to children.
9Can I ............... your car?
Wrong!
Use "borrow" when you take something from someone for a short time.
10I ............... a hundred pounds from my neighbor last week.
Wrong!
Use "borrowed" when you received money from someone and will return it.
11............... me your pen for a minute, will you?
Wrong!
Use "Lend" when you ask someone to give you something temporarily.
Done.
Score: 0/11
Answers
- What are the main differences between foxes, wolves, and dogs?
- I was standing between Maria and Tessa.
- You are making a big mistake.
- Her work shows great brilliance.
- The river is 100 meters wide
- Hundreds of children are born blind or deaf every year.
- My parents were born in Malaysia.
- She has borne three children in four years.
- Can I borrow your car?
- I borrowed a hundred pounds from my neighbor last week.
- Lend me your pen for a minute, will you?
