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Confusing words in English: Famous vs. Popular

26/2/2018

The words 'famous' and 'popular' are very close in meaning, but are not interchangeable because they are used differently.

In this lesson, we explain the difference between these two adjectives and give you examples to show you how to use them correctly. There is a short exercise at the end of the lesson to practise what you have learned.

FAMOUS

When we say that people, places, books, films, etc. are famous, it means they are known about and talked about.

Examples:

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, is one of the most famous buildings in the world.
When we went to Paris, we visited some of the famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and the Louvre.
Are there any famous people you would like to meet in person?
Many Hollywood celebrities have famous parents. A good example is Angelina Jolie who was born to actors.
The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is a famous festival held every year.
Mona Lisa is one of the most famous paintings in the world.
Oxford and Cambridge are the UK's oldest and most famous universities.
Many people around the world have heard about sushi as it is the most famous Japanese dish. (= a well-known dish)

PREPOSITIONS

Cambridge is famous for its great university.
France is famous for its wine and gourmet food.

POPULAR

We can use this adjective to describe people, places or things. If someone or something is popular, it means that many people like them.

Examples:

Spain is a popular tourist destination and one of the most visited countries in the world.
When you go to the UK, you should definitely download Trainline UK. It's one of the most popular British transport apps, and is extremely useful if you want to find information about upcoming train journeys. You can even buy tickets before departure.
What's the most popular sport in your country?
Playing games outdoors was one of the most popular leisure activities when I was a kid.
Elle is a popular lifestyle magazine that focuses on fashion, beauty, health and entertainment. It has a French origin and the title means 'she' or 'her'.
This hotel is very popular with tourists.
Why do you think computer games are so popular?

PREPOSITIONS

Beach holidays are extremely popular with the Germans.
Cafés are very popular among university students.
I think Justin Bieber is most popular among teenagers.

You can say 'popular among' and 'popular with'. Both are correct.

Note: If someone or something is famous, it doesn't necessarily mean that people like them.

Exercise

Complete the sentences with famous or popular.

Sydney Opera House is one of the most ......................... buildings in the world.
The most ......................... tourist destinations in Thailand are beach resorts.
Starbucks coffee has become extremely ......................... around the world.
Venice is, without doubt, considered one of the most ......................... cities in the world.
Knitting is a relaxing hobby that is more ......................... with older people.
Basketball is one of the most ......................... team sports in the United States.
It's hard to say whether ......................... people have a positive or negative influence on young people.
Nowadays, a lot of young people want to be ......................... and that's why they try their luck and audition for TV shows to showcase their talent, for example.
The Harry Potter book series are ......................... with children and adults alike.
Chinese food is one of the most ......................... cuisines in the world.

Answers:
1. famous; 2. popular; 3. popular; 4. famous; 5. popular; 6. popular; 7. famous; 8. famous; 9. popular;
10. popular;

Other lessons:
Confusing verbs: Say vs. Tell
Confusing verbs: Speak vs. Talk
Confusing words: Know someone vs. Meet someone, Alone vs. Lonely, To feel cold vs. To have a cold, Desert vs. Dessert
Confusing words: Breath vs. Breathe, Belief vs. Believe
Confusing words: Practice vs. Practise, Advice vs. Advise
Confusing words: Begin vs. Start, End vs. Finish
Confusing words: Come vs. Go
Confusing words: Bring vs. Take
Phrases with HAVE and TAKE
Confusing words in English: Fast, Quick or Quickly
Confusing words in English: Slow or Slowly

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English Lesson: Collocations for Success

12/2/2018

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In this lesson, you will learn collocations that will help you express the idea of succeeding in doing something or getting something. They are used in contexts such as work and achieving personal goals.

ACHIEVE AN AMBITION
To do what you want to do.

Examples:

I think it's extremely important for young people to have ambitions they want to achieve.
I would say I'm an ambitious person. I have many ambitions I want to achieve in my life. For example, I want to learn other foreign languages apart from English and I want to live and work in those countries so that I can practise my language skills.
It took me a few years to achieve my ambition of speaking English fluently.

FULFIL A DREAM
To do or get what you want.

Examples:

I've always wanted to be a doctor, so becoming a specialist in this field was a chance for me to fulfil my dream.
I really want to fulfil my dream of visiting as many countries as I can.
I helped my student prepare for her job interview and I'm proud of her because she fulfilled her dream and became an interpreter.

GET RESPECT | EARN RESPECT
To be treated with respect. | To start to be respected.

Examples:

People make assumptions based on your appearance so you are more likely to get respect if you are dressed appropriately for the occasion.
He earned his boss's respect by working hard and effectively.
Earning respect may sound simple, but it takes a lot of work.

CAPTURE SOMEONE'S INTEREST
To make someone interested in or excited about something.

Examples:

What I find difficult about my job is giving presentations to my colleagues at work because I need to be well prepared and able to capture their interest.
This is the best film I've ever seen. It definitely captured my interest from the beginning.
When you're telling a story, you have to start with something that will really capture the listener's interest.

PROVIDE (SOMEONE WITH) AN OPPORTUNITY | GIVE SOMEONE AN OPPORTUNITY
To have a chance to do something.

Examples:

Without doubt, big cities provide better educational opportunities.
My university provides opportunities for a number of extracurricular activities such as sport and fitness, volunteer work, and more.
Studying abroad gave me the opportunity to learn more about a new culture and experience a completely new way of life.

REAP THE BENEFIT | REAP THE REWARD
To get something good as a result of your own actions or something that you have done.

Examples:

I know that I need to work hard now if I want to reap the benefits later.
She studied hard every day and reaped the benefit at the exam.
I made a few attempts to get the job I wanted but it was worth it. I'm now reaping the rewards of all my hard work in the last few months.

BOOST SOMEONE'S CONFIDENCE | BUILD UP SOMEONE'S CONFIDENCE
To make someone feel more confident. | To gradually increase it.

Examples:

I prefer to have make-up on because it really boosts my confidence.
If you focus on your passion, you will feel unique and accomplished and will definitely boost your confidence.
I'm not experienced in public speaking and I always feel quite nervous when speaking in front of others. What really helps me build up my confidence is writing my content in advance and improvising when giving a presentation.

GET INTO A ROUTINE | SETTLE INTO A ROUTINE
To have a fixed order of doing things.

Examples:

When I was at school, I didn't think about my study habits at all, but once I entered university, I got into a study routine. I wanted to study effectively and to be organised, so that I could enjoy my free time without having to worry about my studies.
Parents should get their children into a routine of doing their homework after school.
Being a university student can be quite challenging, especially when revising for exams, but once you settle into a routine, it gets easier.

TASK:
Think about your achievements and experiences. Write sentences about them using the collocations you have learned in this lesson.

Click below to read some of our IELTS related lessons:
Causes and Effects of Migration from Rural Areas to Cities
IELTS: Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Internet
Discourse Markers for IELTS Speaking and Everyday English

Other lessons:
Business English: Working in an office
Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities
English Lesson: Jobs and Skills
Collocations with Job (Part 1)
Collocations with Job (Part 2)
Phrasal Verbs: Phones and Technology
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English

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English Lesson: Collocations for Feelings

5/2/2018

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As an English learner, you are probably familiar with many words connected with feelings. In this lesson you will learn collocations that will help you express how you feel in more interesting ways.

We have selected different types of feelings and collocations that best describe them.

ADMIRATION | RESPECT

Examples:

I have nothing but admiration for people whose job involves helping others.
I'm full of admiration for what my parents have done for me throughout the years. (= be full of admiration)
I have a high regard for talented people. (= to respect and admire a lot)
I don't like people who have no regard for others' feelings.

COURAGE | DETERMINATION | HOPE

Examples:

Studying for my exams can be difficult at times but I try not to lose heart. (= I won't give up because I believe that I can succeed and pass my exams.)
I was doing a research on a specific topic for one of my school subjects. It was challenging for me to find and read all the information. My teacher actually supported me a lot and told me not to lose heart because I was doing really well. This motivated me and kept me going.
It takes courage to move abroad far from family and friends.
I didn't have the courage to tell my parents the truth.

HAPPINESS | EXCITEMENT

Examples:

I remember I was quite nervous before the test but when I got the results two weeks later my heart leaped with joy. I passed the exam with flying colours. (= with a very high mark/grade)
I was thrilled to bits when I got a pay rise. (= extremely excited and pleased)
I passed all my exams and I'm really thrilled with the results.
I think I would be blissfully happy if I didn't have any neighbours.

SADNESS

Examples:

I told him the bad news with a heavy heart.
I had been working as a teacher for 10 years before I decided to change career. I left my job with a heavy heart.
He was sick at heart about having to live far away from his family. (= very unhappy)
It breaks my heart to see her unhappy. (= makes me feel sad)

FEAR

Examples:

When I saw the lake we would jump in, my courage failed me. (= I was scared to do it.)
I've always been afraid of heights so I couldn't do a bungee jump. My courage failed me.
If your courage fails you, don't do it. (= If you're scared, don't do it.)
I've tried a few extreme sports as a way to overcome fear.

ANGER

Examples:

If I saw someone hit an animal, I don't think I would be able to contain my anger.
There are some situations where you just have to contain your anger.
It is not healthy to suppress your anger.
It's really shocking how many people express their anger through violence.

DISLIKE

Examples:

To be honest, I don't do any sport because I have an intense dislike of any form of exercise. I usually watch my weight and I try to eat a balanced diet. ('dislike' as a noun)
I really like having a tidy home but I have an intense dislike of household chores.
There are very few vegetables that I actively dislike. ('dislike' as a verb)
I simply dislike going to crowded places. I feel extremely tired after that.

Exercise 1

Rewrite the sentences using the collocations in brackets.

I'm not a big fan of shopping. I don't like going to shopping malls. (intense dislike)
I feel extremely happy every time my boyfriend calls me. (heart leaps)
I really hate spicy food. (simply dislike)
I think I have a really good English teacher. (high regard)
Even if I'm angry, I try to hide it. (contain anger)

Exercise 2

Complete a short sentence about the situations, using the collocations you have learned in this lesson. Make sure you use the correct form of the verbs.

For my sister's birthday, I bought her a book she really wanted to read. She was really excited when she opened her present.
She was ..................................................
I've been learning English for many years now but I've always found it difficult to speak. I'm afraid of making mistakes. Once I saw a foreigner in my city and I really wanted to practise my English, but I was afraid of starting a conversation.
My ..................................................
She had been with the company for five years when she decided to move on and change career. It was a difficult decision to make because she loved working with her colleagues.
She did it with ..................................................
I feel sad when when I see injured animals or when my pets are sick. I always do my best to help them.
It ..................................................
She's my best friend and I've always been honest with her but when I saw her boyfriend with another girl, I just couldn't tell her.
I didn't ..................................................

Answers to exercise 1

I have an intense dislike of shopping.
My heart leaps every time my boyfriend calls me.
I simply dislike spicy food.
I have a high regard for my English teacher.
I try to contain my anger.

Answers to exercise 2

She was thrilled to bits.
My courage failed me.
She did it with a heavy heart.
It breaks my heart.
I didn't have the courage.

Click below to read some of our IELTS related lessons:
Causes and Effects of Migration from Rural Areas to Cities
IELTS: Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Internet
Social Media Addiction: Causes, Effects and Possible Solutions

Other lessons:
Business English: Working in an office
Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities
English Lesson: Jobs and Skills
Collocations with Job (Part 1)
Collocations with Job (Part 2)
Phrasal Verbs: Phones and Technology
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English

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Confusing words in English: Famous vs. Popular

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English Lesson: Collocations for Success

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English Lesson: Collocations for Feelings

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Confusing words in English: Famous vs. Popular

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English Lesson: Collocations for Success

DO YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH SKILLS?

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English Lesson: Collocations for Feelings

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​NEW!IELTSSPEAKINGPART 22019 & 2020Exam Topicspractice​&feedback

Thanks for visiting the blog! :)

Lots of images on Facebook!

Fast reply to emails: 1 - 8 hrs

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​Receive our Newsletter

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Subscribe to our newsletter for any future lessons on this blog.
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Subscribe to our newsletter for any future lessons on this blog.
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PART 2

2019 & 2020
Exam Topics

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