Name: _____________________________

Examining Our False Friends

Introduction
Have you ever used the wrong word when speaking in English? How did the native
speaker of English react? Were there any consequences? How did you feel? Why
do you think you used that word?
Some words can look, sound and mean the same in different languages because
they are derived from the same word. These words are called cognates. (In
Spanish, cognado! Cognate and cognado are cognates!) But just because words
look or sound alike, does not mean they are cognates, because they might have
different meanings. This can cause embarrassment (not pregnancy!) or
misunderstandings. These words are sometimes called false friends (just like in
Spanish.)
Some words are partial false cognates, which means their meanings may be related
and similar, but not exact. Examining context becomes very important. For
example, if I said I was embarrassed because I sneezed all over my boss we can
see that the the false friend embarazado is not relevant. We can look at the context
to decide that the word must not be the same in English as in Spanish. Lets look at
some commonly overlooked cognates that can cause some confusion.
Lets Do It!
Prove
First, guess the meaning of the word prove and fill out the table. Write a one-word
synonym, your own definition, and then a sentence using the word prove. Prove is
what is known as a partial false cognate. One of its meanings in Spanish is much
like the meaning in English, but the other meaning is a different word in English.
Can you guess the meaning in English?
Synonym

Definition

Sentence

Prove

Share your table with the person seated next to you. Discuss the similarities and
differences.

Lets use COCA

Now we are going to use the Corpus of Contemporary American English to examine
some words in context. We can use this corpus to look at words are actually used.
1. First, go http://corpus.byu.edu/coca/

2. Under SECTIONS, highlight SPOKEN.

3. On the left hand side, type prove and click the button that says SEARCH.
4. In the middle of the table, click the word prove. You now have a table of the
time which prove have been used. The figure below models how your screen
should look.
Figure 1
Search for prove using COCA

Discussion
Examine the data. Observe: What kinds of words go before and after the word
prove? What kinds of words go before the word? Did you choose the correct
meaning? Do you see how this word is a partial false cognate? Discuss with your
partner. Now, only after discussing with your neighbor, you may use a dictionary or
thesaurus. Did this help clarify some of your questions?
Hopefully you have learned that prove something does not mean to try
something. Lets see if you can correctly fill in the blanks:
The lawyer must _______________ that her client is innocent.
Would you like to _______________ some of this strawberry ice cream?
I want to _______________ Yoga, but I am worried I will look ridiculous!
In the laboratory, they run tests to _______________ that products work.

What words and situations are related to the word prove? (example: laboratory)

What words and situations are related to the word try? (example: food)

Pretend/Claim
First, guess the meaning of the word pretend and fill out the table. Write a oneword synonym, your own definition, and then a sentence using the word pretend.

Synonym

Definition

Sentence

Preten
d
Share your table with the person seated next to you. Discuss the similarities and
differences.
Repeat steps 1-4 but search for the word pretend.
Examine the data. Observe: Look at Line 47. What does it mean to pretend to be
interested, but really be bored? Or Line 57: Pretending like it didnt happen even
though it was captured on tape? Line 61: What does it look like when a person
pretends they know how to dance?
Discuss with a partner
What kinds of words go before and after the word pretend? What kinds of words go
before the word? Did the word mean what you thought it meant? Do you see how
this word is a false cognate? Discuss with your partner. Now, only after discussing
with your neighbor, you may use a dictionary or thesaurus. Did this help clarify
some of your questions?
Now, discuss the meaning of the word claim with the person next to you. Discuss
the similarities and differences between pretend and claim.
Repeat steps 1-4 but search for the word claim to be.
Examine the data. Observe: What kinds of words go before and after the word
claim? What kinds of words go before the word? Can you see differences in the
words? Discuss with your partner. Now, only after discussing with your neighbor,
you may use a dictionary or thesaurus. Did this help clarify some of your questions?

Hopefully you have learned that to pretend something does not usually
mean to claim something. Lets see if you can correctly fill in the blanks:
Children love to play house and _______________ to be mothers and fathers.
He _______________ to be rich, but his car is very old so he might be lying.
The business _______________ to be very successful.
He _______________ to be rich and drives around in a Lamborghini, but his house is
very small he and has a lot of debt.

Further Practice
Look at the following list and choose one or two sets of words that you would like to
understand better and repeat the exercise. Be sure to discuss with a partner. Use a
dictionary if necessary.

A discussion is a conversation, not an argument.

An advertisement is a kind of product or service promotion, not a warning.
To assist someone means to help them, not to attend or go with them to an event.
Something that is strange is bizarre, not brave or gallant.
Being emotional does not mean being excited.
To quit something means to stop doing it, or to resignnot to take away or remove.

Synonym

Definition

Sentence