27. Human/humane

Human is the more frequent adjective when referring to matters concerning homo sapiens: human habitation, human failings, human ancestry, etc. Humane means benevolent, compassionate: humane treatment is decent treatment.

28. In future/in the future

In future means from now on, starting now: All goods will in future be sent by our own transport. In the future is more vague and means at some unspecified later date: We hope to be able to send all goods by our own transport in the future. (As soon as we can afford three trucks.) While talking about 'the future', here is one small point you may find interesting. If today is the 5th of the month and you want to say that something will happen on the 26th, you have three ways of putting it: in three weeks; in three weeks from now; in three weeks' time. When using the last version, please don't forget the apostrophe in writing: In five hours'/days'/months'/years' time. if/whether In many constructions these two words are indeed interchangeable: I am not sure if this is possible. I am not sure whether this is possible. The main difference is that whether is always assumed to be followed by or not. This means that in questions or requests an answer is usually expected. Take these two almost identical sentences: Let me know if you can come. The stress is here normally on the word know. The speaker or writer tells you here: If you can come, please let me know. (If you can't, don't bother to notify me). On the other hand, someone may tell you: Let me know whether you can come. This says: Please let me know whether you can come or not. An answer is required.

29. Imply/infer

Many people think that these two mean the same thing. There is a difference worth remembering. Imply is what the speaker or writer does: says, suggests, insinuates, hints at something that can be interpreted in a certain way. Infer is what the listener or reader does: concludes, guesses, deduces, thinks. Taking the two together, you could say: When she implied that she was very busy, he inferred that he was not welcome. The two nouns are implication and inference. (Inference has the stress on the first syllable. The remainder is pronounced like the same syllables in 'reference' )

30. Incredible/incredulous

Both have something to do with believe, as anyone will tell you who has ever battled with Latin. Facts, events, reports, and other impersonal things are incredible (or credible): they are hard to believe. People can be incredulous, i.e. they don't believe what they read or hear. The two together: He was incredulous when he heard their incredible story.

31. Insulated/isolated

English has two words, where other languages only have one. Insulated is the technical word: protected against electricity, heat or cold. Isolated is the general adjective. It is used for anything that is separated, kept apart: When the tide rose, he found himself isolated on a tiny rock.

32. Last/latest

Last denotes final or most recent. This can be confusing: her last book can mean that she never wrote any others or that it is her most recent literary effort. Latest makes the position quite clear; it means the most recent of several, leaving open the possibility of more to come: our latest model, their latest publication, her latest hairstyle.

33. Less/fewer

An interesting pair. Less is followed by a noun in the singular and is used when referring to extent, degree, and quantity in bulk. Fewer is followed by a noun in the plural and refers to quantity in terms of units. A few examples: less milk; fewer bottles; less help; fewer assistants; less money; fewer pesetas; less expense; fewer bills; less weight; fewer kilos

34. Libel/slander

Both mean the same: making false, damaging statements; telling lies about a person or company. Libel, however, is something written, usually a newspaper article. Slander is spreading all that nasty information verbally. As it is much easier to prove written defamation than word-of-mouth comment, you will sometimes hear about a libel suit; hardly ever about legal action involving slander.

35. Lie/lay

These two are often mixed up in English-speaking countries, mainly in the past tense. There are two separate verbs: to lie means to recline, to be in a horizontal position. It is irregular: to lie - lay - lain. He likes to lie in bed until lunchtime. The book lay on the shelf. The ring must have lain on the counter. It is an intransitive verb, i.e. you cannot add a direct object. You may lie on the floor, if you like that sort of thing; but you cannot lie something on the floor. You then need the other verb: It is to lay, which means to place, to put. It is irregular: to lay - laid -laid. It is transitive, i.e. it can be followed by a direct object: Let me lay the table. She must have laid it there by mistake. The ostrich laid an enormous egg. A frequent mistake is saying he lay it on the table. As you now know, it should be: He laid it on the table. Note: Just to complete the picture, there is also a third verb to lie, which means telling something that is not true. It is regular: to lie – lied - lied,