Pass

Pass= (1) go across: We passed the place where the accident had occurred.(2) move past: He passed his teacher in the hall.(3) to come to an end: The water crisis passed.(4) be approved: The bill passed the house.(5) transmit information: Please pass the information to all of your friends.

You spend your holidays/a period of time somewhere (Not pass): We spent a lazy afternoon down by the river.

When pass is used in connection with time, it is usually intransitive: Two weeks passed and there was still no reply.

In sentences about the passage of time, the subject of pass is always a time phrase: Another five minutes passed and the taxi still didn’t appear. This pattern is used mainly in narrative styles.

Pass up = when you give a piece of written work to a teacher, lecturer, etc., you hand it in: All assignment have to be handed in by Monday 3rd October.

Pardon

Pardon = (formal) forgive; the act of excusing a mistake: I’m sure they will pardon the occasional mistake.

Excuse = give someone permission to stay away from school, work etc., or leave a classroom, meeting etc.: Can I be excused from swimming today please?

I beg your pardon is used (1) to apologize to a stranger because you have bumped into them by accident, sat in their seat by mistake, etc.: I beg your pardon. I didn’t know the table was reserved. (2) to politely ask someone to repeat what they have said: Does this bus go to Marble Arch?I beg your pardon? (3) when someone has said something that makes you feel surprised, shocked, angry etc.: Who’s that woman with long hair?I beg your pardon! That happens to be my wife.

In formal situations, you can use excuse/forgive me instead of I’m sorry: Please excuse me for taking so long to answer your letter.

Painful

Painful = (1) causing physical or psychological pain: The finger I trapped in the door is still very painful. The child wriggled free and gave me a painful kick on the ankle.His mischievous behavior brought back lot of painful memories.(2) causing misery, pain or distress: The painful process of treatment is going on. (3) exceptionally bad or displeasing: This movie was painful to watch.

Overdue

Overdue= (1) (of payment) past due; being unpaid by the assigned date or at the scheduled time: The electric bill was two months overdue.An overdue installment.

Be/become overdue is used of payments, library books, video films that you have rented etc.: Even if the books are only one day overdue, you still have to pay a fine.

Expire is used of a license, contract, membership card, etc.: I wanted to pay by visa, but my card has expired.I suddenly realized that my driving license had expired.

Outdoor

Outdoor (WITHOUT s) is an adjective. Outdoor = located, suited for, or taking place in the open air: He enjoys the outdoor life.There are many outdoor activities in and around  Coimbra.

Outdoors (WITH s) is an adverb. Outdoors = outside a building: He likes to work outdoors.

Outside = when you mean away from, use (get/go) out of (NOT outside): It does you good to get out of the city now and again.Without a passport, he would never have been able to get out of the country.

In British English, outside is not used with of: You aren’t allowed to park outside the bank.

In American English, both outside and outside of are used.

Originate

Originate = (1) come into existence; take on form or shape: The practice of  Sati originated during ancient Ages. (2) to give rise to; initiate: The policy was originated by the previous administration.(3) to create something new: Darwin originated the theory of evolution.

Originate is used in connection with things, ideas, customs etc. (NOT people): No one really knows how the solar system originated.

If you are born in and/or grow up in a particular place, town, country etc., you come from that place: Where does Agneta come from- Sweden or Norway?

Words that enter a language from other languages come from (or are derived from) those languages: The name terrier comes from the Latin word terra meaning the earth.

Oral

Oral = (1) using speech rather than writing: Always go for a written agreement in business than relying on an oral agreement.In the oral examination, she was asked to recite the name of all presidents. (2) of or relating to mouth: He has undergone an oral surgery.She practices good oral hygiene by brushing her teeth at least twice a day.

Both the words Spoken and Oral can be used to refer to language skills and the communication of information. However, oral is slightly more technical than spoken. The use of oral to mean spoken is restricted to certain technical phrases used in education: Oral skills, An oral examination.

Opposite

Use opposite and the opposite of only when you mean that two things are altogether different in nature, quality, or significance: thought that the medicine would make him sleepy, but it had the opposite effect.The opposite of long is short.The two men went off in opposite directions. (= one went to the left and one to the right)

To describe people opinions, life styles, ways of thinking etc., the usual word is different: These two schools of thought are completely different.

One thing is opposite another thing (WITHOUT to/of): The nearest bus stop is opposite the bank.

When opposite means facing the speaker or the person/place being talked about,it comes immediately after the noun: The house opposite is also for sale.

Operate

Operate = (1) direct or control something: Do you know how to operate this machinery? (2) perform surgery on (medicine): Have you heard what happened to the last patient he operated on? (3) to perform a function or work: The motor operates smoothly.The camera also operates underwater. (4) to be involved in military activities: A militant group  is operating against the government.

Operation = (1) the state of being in  effect or being operative: That law is no longer in operation. (2) a planned activity involving many people performing various actions: They planned a rescue operation. (3) a medical  procedure involving an incision with instruments: My mother is having an operation tomorrow. Mr. Barrett is going to have an operation on his back.

Once

Once = (1) one time only: You have to take this medicine once a day. (2) whenever; as soon as: Once it stops raining, we can go out. (3) at some indefinite time in the past: She was a very popular actress once. (4) used in negative sentences and questions, and after if to mean ever or at all: He didn’t once thank me.If she once decides to do something, it becomes difficult to change her mind.