Short answer
Start by checking what the learner means, then contrast the confusing words in a short context. A clear example usually helps more than a long dictionary-style explanation.
In S06E19, we look at examples such as I’m boring when the speaker means I’m bored, and my husband is a great cooker when the intended meaning is a great cook.
Try this in your next lesson
The meeting was really ___, so I felt ___. (boring / bored).
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Listen to the whole S06E19 discussion in our podcast episode guide here🔊.
These errors are useful because the incorrect word often exists in English. The learner has not produced nonsense. They have chosen a nearby form with a different meaning.
With bored and boring, make the direction of meaning visible: I am bored describes my feeling; the film is boring describes what causes the feeling. The same pattern can help with interested/interesting, tired/tiring and excited/exciting.
With cook and cooker, the difference is person versus appliance. With sensible and sensitive, the spelling looks close but the meanings are quite different. Context is what keeps those words apart.
Some confusing words may be influenced by another language. Others are simply close in form. Either way, keep the correction respectful. The useful question is: What were you trying to say?
How should teachers correct the pair?
Give one strong contrast rather than several abstract definitions. Then ask the learner to make a new example so you can see whether the distinction is clear.
Our suggested classroom adaptation of the episode discussion.
Gav and Em suggest: Which word fits?
- The meeting was really ___, so I felt ___. (boring / bored)
- My brother is a great ___. (cook / cooker)
- She gives very practical advice. She’s really ___. (sensible / sensitive)
- Would you like cake for ___? (desert / dessert)
After choosing, learners explain the difference in their own words and write one extra example.
Answers and teacher guidance
Answers: boring, bored; cook; sensible; dessert. A cook is a person; in British English a cooker is an appliance. Sensible means showing practical judgement; sensitive can describe someone readily affected by feelings or sensations.
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