John’s English Blog

Many English words with a Latin origin end in -al and will be familiar if you speak a Latin language. Beware of false friends!

Abdominal “These abdominal exercises strengthen your core muscles, which are the muscles around your trunk.”
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/10-minute-abs-workout/

Abysmal “The £175m proposal for a garden bridge on the Thames is facing an escalating backlash from leading novelists, cultural figures and architects who have slammed the cost, location and abysmal design of the project.”

Accidental “Penicillin: An accidental discovery changed the course of medicine”
https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/news/print/endocrine-today/%7B15afd2a1-2084-4ca6-a4e6-7185f5c4cfb0%7D/penicillin-an-accidental-discovery-changed-the-course-of-medicine

Actual
“Actual results may vary from expected results.”

Additional “Ryanair has not yet responded after being asked whether it is in their policy to allow guests with homemade luggage coats to board without additional charge.”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/coat-to-beat-ryanair-baggage-charges/

Complete these sentences!

1. functional language is language that you need in different day-to-day situations.
2. Now witness the power of this fully armed and operational battle station.
3. I have a suit but I only wear it on special occasions.
4. digital information is stored using a series of ones and zeros.
5. The word ‘mice’ is an irregular plural of the word ‘mouse’.
6. Students often like topical issues more than older issues.
7. rural life is more relaxed than city life.
8. Your offer is conditional on achieving the necessary grades.
9. The United Kingdom does not have a national football team.
10. The pay differential between employees and management is too great.
11. You can’t wear jeans. They’re far too casual.
12. computational linguistics is a field of linguistics that deals with making computers understand human language.
13. The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rain forest.
14. A strong opposition is vital to a healthy democracy.
15. Amateur footballers play for fun, but professional footballers can earn a lot.
16. For example, unexpected personal or family problems or illness might be considered as an exceptional circumstance.
17. conventional wisdom says that a film can’t succeed without a famous actor or actress.
18. Water is essential for all living things.
19. Change alone is eternal, perpetual, immortal. (Arthur Schopenhauer)
20. The ideal student is hard working, confident, punctual, respectful and pays on time.
21. Morris dancing is a traditional English folk dance.
22. The jury’s verdict must be impartial.

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