What is the difference between sip and swallow? They both seem to me pretty similar to one another. 1. Is it correct to say that 'to swallow' and 'to sip' carry the same idea but 'to swallow' is applicable both for food and drinks while 'to sip' is only for drinks ? It's what I can understand from dictionaries but I'm not sure. 2. Can I use 'to swallow' interchangeably with 'to sip' when I talk about drinks ? 3. The word 'sip' had been new to me before I encountered it for the 1st time in a story. Is it really common in everyday conversations or it's just from 'book language' ?

The difference between weep and cry. Do these words have any difference? Relying on the situations where I have encountered these words I assume that it all depends on the reason of crying. But I'm not sure. Are they interchangeable in cases of crying from joy, grief and allergy.

sink vs drown I can't understand the difference between these words. They seem petty similar to one another and imply going underwater forever. Could somebody explain me the difference?

What does the expression 'What's are you up to now' mean? The whole dialogue is as follows (Bernard) Yes? (Visitors) Could we talk to you about Jesus? (Bernard) Great! Come in! (Visitors) What? (Bernard) I'd love to hear about Jesus! (Bernard) What's are you up to now? (Bernard) Come on in! (1st visitor) Er, are you sure? (Bernard) Yes! In, in! Come in! (2nd visitor) It's a trick! (1st visitor) It's just... generally people don't say yes. (Bernard) I'm not people - come on in, let's talk beliefs! I have 2 questions regarding the expression 'What's are you up to now?' Q1 It has a very unusual grammar structure. I don't understand what the 's does there. Is it some kind of a mistake that Bernard intentionally/unintentionally made? Does it have another explanation? Q2 What does it mean?I found this episode online. http://www.videobb.com/video/zuXz0SIAOeXN The dialogue starts at 10:26. And I can clearly hear what's are you up to now at 10:38.

The meaning of the phrases (F) Bernard, do you want this? (B) What is it? (F) It's a thing. (B) Is it? (F) Yes. (B) What does it do? (F) It's very in. (B) You don't know, do you? (F) It's very now. It's from the 'Black books' sitcom. 1) I don't understand the meaning of the expressions "It's very in" and "It's very now". What do they mean? 2) Are they common? Would you understand if somebody answered your question by saying It's very in and It's very now?

Engage & involve I'd like somebody to explain me the difference between these words. May be I'm wrong but it seems to me that in some certain situations both of them mean to participate in some activities, to take a part. I'd like to understand if they are interchangeable in the following sentences 1. I'm not going to engage in hypotheticals here. Is it possible to say 'I'm not going to be involved' in hypotheticals here ? 2. I'm sorry, myself and Morris were just engaged in quite a serious discussion about books and such. Would it be correct to say I'm sorry, myself and Morris were just involved in quite a serious discussion about books and such. Of course it would be great to get any other hints or advices about using these words. Thanks beforehand.

The difference between 'to undergo' and 'to experience' I read their definitions in vocabularies and didn't understand the difference. They look pretty much the same. Does any difference or exception in using them exist?

The difference between Jail and Prison Could someone explain me the difference between these two words?

First notebook entry: Introducing myself I realized that my level of English is not as good as I want it to be. Some time ago I attended local language training courses. That wasn't waste of time but now I need something different. I have experienced the lack of being able to ask questions regarding the meaning of words and phrases. Also my English was not 'live' enough. I'm not sure but suppose it continues to be not live. I tried to resolved that issue by watching movies and TV shows in English. Despite some progress, in general it was not the solution. Therefore multi cultural environment and ability to ask questions directly to natives is what I need. Hope italki is the right place to get some improvement.