False friends

False friends in English: actually, fabric and other word traps

False friends are English words that look like words in other languages but mean something else. Actually means in fact, not currently. Fabric is cloth, not a factory. A magazine is something you read, not a shop. The danger is confidence: nobody double-checks a word that looks familiar, so a mistake like this can stay in someone's speech for years. A list of pairs helps you recognise the trap, but it won't break the habit of reaching for the familiar word.

Memorising the meaning isn't enough; you need a new habit. Read the example and spot where a look-alike word could pull you the wrong way. Then recall how to say in English what you actually meant: instead of actual in the sense of up to date, use current or relevant. Write your own sentence and return to the word later. The section is divided into people and jobs, qualities, things and actions. Each page has the real meaning, a common mistake and an exercise.

LetsWords suits this kind of work because it trains usage, not recognition. Add the tricky words to your own collection, switch on English definitions instead of translations to see the meaning without a native-language prompt, and write sentences with these words. The check flags a wrong meaning and suggests a more precise way to express your idea, while spaced repetition locks in the new habit. Start now and find out whether any of the words you feel sure about are letting you down.