031_Confusing_Words_02

031_Confusing_Words_02

Reo continues to inquire about confusing words in English. This episode he ask Matt Trengove about the confusing pair, efficient and effective.

Kevin: Hello everyone and welcome to Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting, A great way to review English words and phrases. My name is Kevin Jones. And once again we are here with Nichibei student Reo

Reo: Hello again Kevin.

Kevin: And also with us here again is Nichibei instructor Matt Trengove.

Good day Matt, how are you.

Matt Trengove: Great Kevin. Thanks.

Kevin: Say Reo, we are right in the middle of summer vacation time here in Japan. What are you doing for vacation? Are you planning to go anywhere.

Reo: Well, as I told you last week, I’m leaving for university in Canada next month, so I m really busy right now with my last minute preparations.

Kevin: Like your passport and visa?

Reo: No, Actually, I’ve got that stuff finished. But I’ve still got a lot of shopping and packing to take care of, not to mention English study.

Kevin: And speaking of English study, let’s get back to your list of commonly confused words you started last week.

Reo: Sure OK. Let’s go.

Matt Trengove: So What do you have for us this week?

Reo: The two words I’d like explained are efficient and effective. I just can’t understand the difference between them.

Matt Trengove:These two adjectives are called qualitative adjectives are they are often confused, So Reo, you should remember that If somebody or something is efficient, then he, she or it works in a well-organised way, without wasting time or energy. Listen to some examples. …’He was efficient in everything he did and was frequently praised for his excellent service to the company.’

Reo: Uh huh.

Matt Trengove: or this sentence, ‘He hasn’t made very efficient use of his time in getting ready for his trip

Reo: Ah …OK

Matt Trengove: or this one ‘This engine is really efficient, it gets run for 50 km to one liter .’

Reo: OK, now how about effective.

Matt Trengove: If something is effective, it works well, solves a problem and produces the results that were intended. Let me give you some examples. ‘This aspirin really is effective. My headache’s much

better now.’ ‘The only effective way to loose weight is to exercise and cut down on your calorie intake and get more exercise.

Reo: OK, so efficient is something that works well, effective is something that has the right effect and solves a problem.

Matt Trengove: Yes, exactly. Now let’s hear you use these two words in a couple of sentences

Reo: Ok. let’s see…..’Living in an English speaking environment was very effective towards improving my English’.

Matt Trengove: OK. Good. Now try a sentence with efficient.

Reo: My airconditioner is not very efficient. It uses a lot of electricity, but it doesn’t cool very well.

Matt Trengove: Good. That fine.

Reo:Well, thanks for your help.

Matt Trengove: Your welcome and good luck in university.

Reo: Thanks.

Kevin: Now let’s review the vocabulary for this episode. effective. The teachers at Nichibei are very effective. Efficient. ‘Studying English while riding on the train is an efficient use of time’.

END