Hey, there!

Today we have the second part of our special difficulties post. These are words that give us a very hard time because they’re similar in meaning but they’re also used in very specific situations.

Very / Too

Very means much or in a large degree. Too always suggests something in excess, more of something than we need or can use. Too is often followed by an infinitive construction.

This book is very big, but it will go into my pocket.
This book is too big to go into my pocket.

Forget / Leave

It is impossible in English to forget something in a certain place. For example, it is wrong to say, “I forgot my book at home.” When you mention the place, use “leave”. Correct possibilities:

I have forgotten my book.
I left my book at home.

Beside / Besides

Beside means “next to”; Besides means “in addition to”.

John sits beside me in class.
Two boys besides John took the trip.

Despite / In Spite of

Despite and in spite of have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably. Note, however, that when a clause rather than a noun follows these prepositions, the construction despite the fact or in spite of the fact must be used.

He came despite the rain.
He came in spite of the rain.
He came despite the fact that it was raining.
He came in spite of the fact that it was raining.

Want to try what you’ve learned? Choose the correct word in the sentences below.

1. Four girls ( beside / besides ) Mary left for camp.
2. We went for a walk ( despite / despite the fact ) that the weather was bad.
3. I am afraid that I have ( left / forgotten ) my book on the subway.
4. Helen sits ( beside / besides ) me in class.
5. (In spite of / in spite of the fact) that he was sick, John attended each of the meetings.
6. “You’re just ( very / too ) good to be true.”

Answers

1. besides
2. despite the fact
3. left
4. beside
5. in spite of the fact that
6. too