FALSE FRIENDS or FAUX-AMIS

false friends: words which in two languages have a similar form but different meanings
e.g. a host in English is someone who invites guests to his/her house. In Czech, the word host means guest!

There are many words in English which resemble French words, but have a totally different meaning.

Spot the mistake A. Correct the vocabulary mistake in these sentences.

1. Erik, Mamoun's Swedish friend, is staying with Mamoun's family in Morocco. He's been their host for a month. 2. Yesterday, Erik and Mamoun played a party of dominoes. 3. "Let's go ski-ing," said Erik. "In mid-summer? Are you foolish?" Mamoun replied. 4. They took the CTM car from Tangiers to Tetuan to go to a concert of Andalucian music. 5. The conductor drove too fast. 6. It was a very frightening travel. 7. At the concert, there was a large and enthusiastic public. 8. But at the end, they cried angrily when the musicians refused to play more. 9. Mamoun is a bachelor now, so he can go to university. 10. Next week, he's passing an exam to go to engineering school. 11. We had a history exam last week. The subject we were given was very difficult. 12. The teacher was very nervous and got angry when we talked. 13. It's defended to talk in an exam. 14. We had to hand in our copies five minutes before the end. 15. We're going to get the results in our next history course.

FALSE FRIENDS or FAUX-AMIS

false friends: words which in two languages have a similar form but different meanings
e.g. a host in English is someone who invites guests to his/her house. In Czech, the word host means guest!

There are many words in English which resemble French words, but have a totally different meaning.

Spot the mistake B. Correct the vocabulary mistake in these sentences. 1. The time has been unpleasant this week very hot and humid. 2. I can't support all this heat and humidity. 3. I had nothing to do and was annoyed, so I decided to buy a book. 4. I've got some other courses to do in town, too. 5. I'm going to the library to buy Chrabi's new novel. 6. If you want me to buy a book for you, you must precise what you would like. 7. I ignore what sort of books you enjoy. 8. At the bookshop, I'll speak to the responsible. 9. He's a parent of our neighbours. 10. Last week, he said he had an eventual job for me next summer. 11. The job would be to stand at the door and control the customers' tickets from the cash-desk. 12. The actual security man at the shop says it's very embarrassing work. 13. At last I said I didn't want to do that sort of job. 14. Last week they didn't have Chrabi's book, which was a deception for me. 15. Instead, I bought a book about chess, which is a play I want to learn.

FALSE FRIENDS or FAUX-AMIS

false friends: words which in two languages have a similar form but different meanings
e.g. a host in English is someone who invites guests to his/her house. In Czech, the word host means guest!

There are many words in English which resemble French words, but have a totally different meaning.

Spot the mistake C. Correct the vocabulary mistake in these sentences.

1. The new hospital is a spectacular realisation. 2. My father was invited to assist at the opening ceremony. 3. He had three tickets, which was an occasion for me and my friend Selma to go too. 4. Nawal Moutawakil came to the ceremony and we spoke to her. It was a great chance for Selma and me! 5. There was a new ambulance, which was offered by the Chamber of Commerce. 6. The hospital has a modern laboratory for scientific experiences. 7. The laboratory is air-conditioned and it was very fresh inside. 8. Selma didn't like that, because she is very sensible to the cold. 9. "Could we eventually visit the lab again?" I asked. 10. The doctor in charge said there was no inconvenient. 11. Later they will do analyses, but actually they are studying certain skin diseases. 12. Farmers sometimes get these diseases from using strong insecticides on their cultures. 13. The doctor even proposed me a part-time job. 14. Afterwards Selma and I discussed angrily about who should have the job. 15. Selma was very rude to me. I don't think she has had a very good education at home.

FALSE FRIENDS or FAUX-AMIS

false friends: words which in two languages have a similar form but different meanings
e.g. a host in English is someone who invites guests to his/her house. In Czech, the word host means guest!

There are many words in English which resemble French words, but have a totally different meaning.

Spot the mistake D. Correct the vocabulary mistake in these sentences.

1. There are workers' manifestations on Labour Day. 2. They present their reclamations to the employers. 3. Usually, the employers are comprehensive and agree to some demands. 4. The workers in Shabby Suits Ltd pretend they aren't paid enough. 5. A Shabby suit costs only ten dollars a real occasion. 6. Their advertisement says: "Shabby Suits are extraordinary! Get one today!" 7. And the owner of the company, Mr Shabby, has realised enormous profits. 8. But it's only possible because the workers are miserable. 9. On Labour Day, they wanted to expose their problems to Mr Shabby. 10. But he was absent from his office express. 11. He just left a word with his secretary. 12. Just one phrase: "I am out of town today." 13. He was hiding in a sure place. 14. He's horrible to his family as well as his workers. In fact, he is often very rude to his wife. 15. But she, poor woman, is really very sympathetic.