Some English pairs look like twins but point in opposite directions. Many languages use one verb where English uses two, so learners translate directly and say things like "Can you borrow me your charger?" or "I am boring" when they mean they are bored. Here is a rule of thumb and a home example for each pair. In this episode: • Direction pairs: borrow and lend, bring and take • Feelings pairs: bored and boring, tired and tiring, fun and funny • Senses and speaking: see, look, watch, hear, listen, say, tell, speak, talk • Tricky spellings and lookalikes • Time pairs: in time, on time, at last, at the end, still, yet, already • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: Can I borrow your pen? — you will receive the pen (neutral) Can you lend me a pen? — they will give you the pen (neutral) Bring your coat when you come round. — come here with your coat Take your coat, it's cold out. — go away with your coat Can you take the rubbish out? — from the kitchen to the bin outside I'm bored. — I have nothing interesting to do This film is boring. — the film makes me feel bored I'm tired. — I need rest The school run is so tiring. — it makes me tired The party was really fun. — we enjoyed it Grandad's jokes are so funny. — they make us laugh That's funny, I left my keys right here. — that's strange I can't see a thing without my glasses. — it just happens We watched a streaming show last night. — something moving, for a while Listen to this song. — pay attention with your ears She said she's running late. — the words She told me she's running late. — tell plus a person Real British English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — modern British accent, everyday grammar, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang, he/she/it for things, and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.