English has many verbs that look or feel similar but have distinct meanings or uses. Confusing them — saying "learn" when you mean "teach", or "borrow" when you mean "lend" — is a very common error across all levels.
4 subtopics — pick one to start practising
Say, Tell, Talk & Speak
"Say" is used for reporting words or information; it can stand alone or take a direct object: "She said hello." "Tell" requires a personal object (who you're telling): "She told me the news." "Talk" means to have a conversation, often followed by "to" or "about": "Let's talk about it." "Speak" is more formal, used for languages and formal communication: "He speaks French." "Can I speak to the manager?"
Lend & Borrow
"Lend" means to give something temporarily: the lender gives. "Can you lend me your pen?" "Borrow" means to take something temporarily: the borrower receives. "Can I borrow your pen?" The direction of the action is key: I lend TO you; you borrow FROM me. Common error: "Can you borrow me your pen?" — "borrow" cannot be used this way.
Make & Do
"Make" generally involves creating, producing, or causing something: make a cake, make a decision, make a mistake, make an effort, make progress, make a phone call. "Do" generally involves activities, tasks, and work: do homework, do exercise, do a course, do business, do research, do your best. There is no perfect rule — learning collocations is the best approach.
Used to / Be used to / Get used to
"Used to + base verb" = past habit (no longer true): "I used to smoke." "Be used to + -ing/noun" = be accustomed to (present or ongoing): "I'm used to waking up early." "Get used to + -ing/noun" = become accustomed to (a process): "It took time, but I got used to the cold." The form after "be/get used to" must be -ing or a noun — never the base verb.