Hi, guys! I’m learning English, and I was wondering if anyone could explain me the difference between these couples of adjectives:
Big / Large
Difficult / Hard
Quick / Fast
Near / Close to
Nice / Pretty
I think they are synonyms, but I’m not sure. Thanks a lot!
Just search for a literal translation of each one of these words in the context of a sentence. I’m pretty sure every single one of these ideas, and of these differentiations of ideas, exists in Spanish.
My favorite site for finding example phrases is Linguee | English-Spanish dictionary
Some are more likely to be used in common speech vs a formal paper.
Big / Large answer
Difficult / Hard
Quick / Fast
Hmm. meaning - the difference between fast/quick/rapid - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
Near / Close To.
Nice / Pretty. Not synonyms.
She is pretty != She is nice
These are hard. I know when I’d use each of them… one just sounds correct.
He was speeding and was driving too fast. - This sounds right
He was speeding and was driving too quick. - Should be “driving too quickly”
Edit: Well now I see the title is adjective. So:
He is a fast driver. Sounds right
He is a quick driver. sounds wrong
His glass is bigger than mine. – Sounds better to my ears than…
His glass is larger than mine. – This doesn’t sound wrong… just not common
He has a big glass & He has a large glass – both seem correct
He bought a large coke – sounds right
He bought a big coke – sounds strange
“He bought a large coke” – I would immediately think the bought the Large Size on the menu
I think if I were you i’d just assume they were all interchangeable (except Nice / Pretty) until you hear them in common usage a lot
Thanks!