B1 Vocabulary lessons help you learn and practise words and phrases at the B1 Intermediate level. You will find commonly confused word pairs, homophones, word meanings, and usage examples. Each lesson shows you when and how to use each word correctly, with example sentences and tips to remember the difference.
Quick Answer A collective noun is a word for a group — like team, family, or flock. A mass noun is a word for something you cannot count — like water, rice, or furniture. The big difference? You can count collective nouns (one team, two teams). You cannot count mass nouns (not “two rices”). Team,…
Acronyms are a staple in modern communication, often used to condense lengthy names or phrases into more manageable forms. They are created by taking the first letters of each word in the phrase and combining them into a new word that is pronounced as a single entity. For example, NASA stands for National Aeronautics and…
Quick Answer To shows direction or comes before a verb. Too means “also” or “too much.” They sound the same but mean very different things. ✓ I went to the shop. (direction) ✓ This bag is too heavy. (too much) To and Too — See the Difference Look at these sentences. Can you spot when…
Quick Answer There means a place, or starts a sentence like “there is.” Their means something belongs to them. They’re is short for “they are.” They all sound the same, but they mean three very different things. There, Their, and They’re — See the Difference These three words sound exactly the same when you say…
Quick Answer A principle is a rule or belief. A principal is the main person or thing (like the head of a school). “Honesty is an important principle.” “The principal spoke to the students.” Principle and Principal — See the Difference These two words sound exactly the same, but they mean different things. Look at…
The use of “illicit” implies a judgment about the legality or appropriateness of an action, such as “illicit trade.” Whereas “elicit” focuses on the action of extracting or bringing forth a reply or reaction, as in, “The question elicited a strong response.” It’s important to not only recognize the grammatical differences—adjective versus verb—but also to…
Quick Answer Awhile (one word) means “for a short time.” Use it after a verb. A while (two words) means “a period of time.” Use it after words like for, in, or after. ✓ Stay awhile. (= Stay for a short time.) ✓ Stay for a while. (= Stay for a period of time.) Awhile…
Quick Answer Cite means to mention or quote a source. Site means a place or location. Sight means the ability to see, or something you see. They all sound the same, but they mean three very different things. Cite, Site, and Sight — See the Difference These three words sound exactly the same when you…
Quick Answer PS means “postscript.” It is a short note you add after you finish and sign a message. Think of it as saying “Oh, one more thing!” at the end of a letter, email, or text. Best wishes, SarahPS: Do not forget to bring your umbrella tomorrow! PS in Action — See How It…
Quick Answer Use Ms. for any woman (married or not). Use Mrs. for a married woman. Use Miss for an unmarried woman. Not sure? Ms. is always safe. Ms. (say it like “Miz”) — Ms. Lee is our new teacher.Mrs. (say it like “Missiz”) — Mrs. Adams got married last year.Miss (say it like “Miss”)…
