bluebird/blue bird
bluebird = a small bird with blue feathers on its back and/or head (salašník)
The bluebird comes from North America.
blue bird = a bird that is blue in colour
Look! There is a large blue bird in the garden.
When we speak, we place the stress like this: a ‘bluebird (on the first syllable) versus a ‘blue ‘bird (on both words).
blackbird/black bird
blackbird = a black bird with a yellow beak (the male); a brown bird with a brown beak (the female) (drozd)
The American blackbird is larger than the European blackbird.
black bird = a bird that is black in colour
There's a black bird sitting on the branch.
crossword/cross word
crossword = a game in which you write down words in a diagram using clues
My mother likes doing crosswords in her free time.
cross word = something said in an angry manner
She has never said a single cross word to me.
forever/for ever
forever/for ever = used to express that something will always exist
I will love you forever/for ever.
Forever (but not ‘for ever') is also used with a progressive form to mean ‘very often'.
He's forever talking about his girlfriend.
a red and blue pen / a red and a blue pen
a red and blue pen = a pen that is red and blue in colour; a pen that is used to write in red and in blue
A red and blue pen is very practical to use.
a red and a blue pen = two different pens - one red and one blue
I use a red pen to write definitions and a blue pen to write notes.
sometimes/sometime/some time
sometimes = occasionally; not very often
I sometimes go hiking in the mountains.
sometime/some time (with one stress at the beginning) = at an unspecified time
We should meet and have a drink sometime/some time.
some time (with two stresses) = quite a long time
I've spent some time in Spain, so I speak a little Spanish.
to feel good / to feel well
to feel good (1) = to be happy; to be in a good mood
I always feel good when I'm with you.
to feel good (2) = to be in good health
I won't go jogging today - I don't feel too good.
to feel well = to be in good health
I don't feel well. I think I should stay in bed.
to look good / to look well
to look good = to be attractive to look at
Wow! You look good in that new suit.
to look well = to seem to be in good health
Are you well enough to go to school today?
ill/sick
ill = suffering from an illness or disease; unwell
My grandfather is seriously ill.
sick (1) = ill
I'm looking after my sick daughter.
sick (2) = wanting to vomit
Don't eat any more ice cream or you'll get sick.
I was sick six times yesterday. (I vomited six times yesterday.)
Oh no, John is being sick again! (John is vomiting again.)
sick (3) = bored and annoyed about something that has been happening for a long time
I'm sick and tired of this terrible weather!
illness/disease/sickness/ill health
illness = the state of being ill; a general word for a period of not being in good health
Uncle Harry died unexpectedly after a short illness.
sickness (1) = bad health; a less general word than ‘illness' used mostly in contexts concerning work and insurance
You should get insurance against sickness.
sickness (2) = the feeling that you might vomit; the fact of vomiting
The sickness passed off after a few hours.
ill health = the state of having a lot of health problems; the state of being ill for a long time
My father retired early because of ill health.
childlike/childish/children's
childlike = having the qualities that children normally possess; innocent
I've always liked her childlike smile.
childish = behaving in a silly way; immature
She's quite nice but rather childish.
children's = designed for children
They don't sell any children's clothes at this shop.
play/game
play (1) = activities in general done for pleasure
Little children can learn a lot through play.
play (2) = the playing of a game in sport
The ball is still in play.
play (3) = a piece of dramatic literature written for the theatre, television or radio
Shakespeare wrote a lot of excellent plays.
game (1) = an activity with rules done for pleasure
I like playing board games when the weather is bad.
game (2) = a sport
I like all ball games, but basketball is my favourite.
game (3) = a sports match
The team are training hard for their final game.
Speaking of games and play, I've just remembered the saying: ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.' So don't forget to have some fun every day :-)
