Key Differences

The words can and may are auxiliary verbs, which are often juxtaposed when we talk about possibility or permission. Basically, the word 'can' is used when someone has the ability to do something, or when you are allowed to do something. On the other hand, may is used to discuss possibility or happenings in the future. It is also used when you want to take or give permission for doing something. Now, let's move on to our examples to understand the difference between can and may in a better … [Read more...]

We all know that the words 'will' and 'shall' are used in the future tense, to indicate something which has not taken place yet, but it is going to take place in the coming time. Many people don't understand where we can use these helping verbs correctly in the sentences. While 'will' is mainly used when you give an order, suggest something, announce a decision or to express willingness/ability to do something. On the other hand 'shall' is used in place of will, when we initiate an action and … [Read more...]

The words council and counsel are homonyms, which sound alike, but their meanings and spellings differ. 'Council' is used for a group of people who are assembled for a specific purpose, i.e. to discuss something or arrive at a decision. On the other hand, 'to counsel' means to provide guidance to a person. Now, let's understand these two with the help of examples: The primary goal of the council is to counsel the students. Joseph went to the council, to talk about the next counselling … [Read more...]

The words 'wait' and 'await' are quite identical in their meaning and seem synonymous, but one should not use them interchangeably. This is so because 'await' is more formal, as compared to 'wait'. 'Wait' means to pass the time until an anticipated event occurs, whereas 'await' means to wait for something with a hope. Now let's understand the differences between wait and await with the help of examples: The Principal was waiting for the Chief guest to arrive, but the Chief guest was … [Read more...]

Literature refers to written creative work, particularly those which have a high and enduring value. It is known for its form in which the message is presented or communicated and its content. Prose and poetry are the two common forms of literature; wherein prose is written work, which contains sentences and paragraphs, and does not have any metrical structure. As against, poetry is a genre of literature which is based on a particular form, that creates a rhyme. The basic difference between … [Read more...]

The words could and would are modal auxiliary verbs, wherein both are the past tense form of the verbs can and will respectively. We make use of the word 'could' to express ability or past possibility, whereas 'would' can be used to show willingness or when we imagine a situation. In the case of polite expressions, i.e. while making offers, requests, invitation, suggestion or permission, we often get confused, which one to use. So, let's have a look at the examples given below to understand … [Read more...]

Clause implies a set of words which is a part of a sentence, but it contains its own subject and predicate. A relative clause is a type of clause which expresses the person or thing, the speaker is referring to. Basically, we use who, whose, whom, that and which, in relative clauses. Many people suffer dilemma in using that and which in the sentences. While that is used to talk about things and sometimes about people, which is used to discuss things only. Let's take a look at the example to … [Read more...]

The words 'rise and raise' commonly indicates an increase or improvement in anything. However, they are not one and the same thing, as rise usually means growth or increment in something, whereas raise denotes to induce, elevate or augment something. Hence, you can understand how close these words are, in terms of meaning. So, first of all, let's have a look at the examples given below: As there is a rise in the corruption level, few youngsters raised their voices against it. If the … [Read more...]

The words 'say' and 'tell' both are irregular verbs, as their past participle form, do not have a regular 'ed' ending, i.e. say becomes said and tell becomes told. While the word 'say' is used to utter something verbally, 'tell' can be used to give information, give evidence or orders to a person. So, the first and foremost difference between these two is that we do not mention whom we are referring to, in the case of 'say', but we mention it in case of 'tell'. Let's take a look at the … [Read more...]