Communicating may be more than enough for some occasions. Still, you don't want to sound like a fool and have to depend on others' understanding to make a point. By thoroughly selecting the words you use, you won't ever have to go through an awkward situation. Take a look at typical cases below:
If you want to say that everybody knows a restaurant, you may avoid the following:
Look! That is a famous restaurant!
When you are actually trying to say:
Look! That is a popular restaurant.
If you want to say that a woman is an actress, you may avoid the following:
She is a movie artist!
When you are actually trying to say:
She is a movie star!
If you want to say it's difficult for you to comprehend, you may avoid the following:
I'm not understanding!
When you are actually trying to say:
I don't get it!
If you want to say you were on the beach for three days, you may avoid the following:
I passed three days on the beach.
When you are actually trying to say:
I spent three days on the beach.
If you want to say you are experiencing a difficult situation, you may avoid the following:
We are passing a difficult situation.
When you are actually trying to say:
We are going through a difficult situation.
All of the above are classic cases of translation. Sometimes we get so used to it that we forget there are inumerous words with slight differences among them. Next time, goad your mind into finding the most suitable option! if you can't, scan a dictionary definition for the best alternative.
Best wishes,
André
