experience in something—knowledge of a particular activity as a result of having done it in the past: The president has had no experience in traveling abroad, and should send a qualified representative to handle the delicate cultural issues. experience of something—knowledge of smth. a person was involved in, especially smth. important that affects him: Even […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Expectation of life and Life expectancy
expectation of life—the average number of years of life remaining for a person of a given age based on statistical probability: His expectation of life was substantially less than it would have been if he had not contracted cancer. life expectancy—the number of years an average person can be expected to live based on statistical […]
Difference between Expand into something and Expand upon something
expand into something—enlarge into smth. bigger: In no time at all, the vegetable garden had expanded into a small farm. expand upon something—add detail to smth.; explain what is implied in a statement, etc.: Would you please expand upon that last remark.
Difference between Excuse someone for something and Excuse someone from something
excuse someone for something—forgive a person for doing smth. wrong: She begged me to excuse her for being so rude and interrupting our walk. excuse someone from something—set a person free from a duty or obligation: My teacher, to my amazement, excused me from freshman English when I turned in my first piece.
Difference between Excuse oneself and Make an excuse
excuse oneself— 1. apologize for something: A lady speaker was talking, so I excused myself for being late and introduced myself to everyone there. 2. make an apology declining or refusing smth.: Schwarz was for taking everyone out for a drink, but the rabbi excused himself. 3. politely ask to be allowed to leave a […]
Difference between Exclusive to someone and To the exclusion of someone
exclusive to someone—said of smth. applying only to the people stated: This is a special offer at reduced rates, exclusive to members of the club. to the exclusion of someone—so as to keep some people out: The rules of the club worked to the exclusion of anyone who was not of professional status.
Difference between Exchange a few words with someone and Exchange words with someone
exchange a few words with someone—have a short conversation with smb.: The man turned and exchanged a few words with his neighbor. exchange words with someone—quarrel with a person: Have you been exchanging words with our neighbor again?
Difference between Except for something and Except something
except for something— 1. apart from smth.; not considering smth.: The streets were eerily empty, except for a few cars rushing here or there. 2. if it were not for smth.: It seems that work is ready to proceed there, except for lack of funding. except something—with the exclusion of smth.: It seemed that every […]
Difference between Evidence for something and Evidence of something
evidence for something—anything that gives reason to believe smth.: Is there any evidence for the Biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction? evidence of something—indication or signs of smth.: When the ship reached port, it bore abundant evidence of the severity of the storm.
Difference between “Everybody and their uncle” and “Uncle Tom Cobley and all”
everybody and their uncle —(also: every man and his dog ) lots of people; everyone of importance: Everybody and their uncle will be heading to the beach today. So, I’m staying right here. Uncle Tom Cobley and all —(used at the end of a list of names) a whole lot of other people: When he […]
Difference between Every one and Everyone
every one —(of two or more people or things) each one taken separately: She took his bottles of whisky and emptied every one down the sink. everyone—(of people) everybody; all people: Almost everyone came to the school party wearing a crazy hat!
Difference between “Every now and then” and “Now and then”
every now and then—fairly often; habitually: Every now and then a motion picture comes along so permeated with suspense as to make the spectator sit tense in his seat. now and then—occasionally; at times: After he retired, he enjoyed spending a lot of time reading at the public library. Now and then he would take […]