6 confusing words - small & little, big & large, tall & high

www.engvid.com 'Small' and 'little' are synonyms, but sometimes it's difficult to know which one to use. In this English lesson we will look at some situations where you should use 'small' or 'little', or either one. We will also look at when we use 'big' and 'large', and the differences between 'tall' and 'high'. www.engvid.com/...
TRANSCRIPT
Hi again. I'm Adam. Welcome back to www.engvid.com. Today's lesson is a little bit tricky. The reason I say it's tricky is because we're talking about specific words that are often interchangeable; that are often used in the same situations or same meanings. We're talking about "small" versus "little", "big" versus "large", "tall" versus "high". Some students asked: what's the difference between them? I'll do my best to explain the difference between these words. First thing and the most important thing that you need to remember about these words is that yes, they are synonyms -- means they have almost the same meaning. What makes the difference in how to use them is always going to be context. Okay? A lot of the difference in how to use these words depends on the context they are being used in. Some expressions take this word or that word, and not the other, for example. In some situations, the meaning is very different depending on which word you use. Okay?
So we're going to start with "small" and "little". Okay? The main thing to remember and in most cases the biggest difference: when we talk about "small", when we use "small", we talk about size, the size of something or its dimensions -- dimensions are length, width, height, depth, etcetera -- or intensity. Okay? When we talk about the intensity of something. So first of all, the thing to remember about this: we're talking about physical size. When we describe something as "small", generally we mean physically small, something physical is small. But again, sometimes we can use "little" to talk about the physical size of something. So for example: somebody has small hands or somebody has little hands. The nuance is a little bit different, and this is what you have to be careful about, nuance. If somebody has small hands, it means generally physical small but if somebody has little hands, it has more of the idea that he or she can do less with their hands. True, not true - I don't know; I'll leave that up to you. But just remember there's a slight nuance in difference. But, if you look at somebody, say: "Oh, he has such little hands." Or if you say: "Oh, that person has such small hands." Most people will get the same idea. But again, context might tell you it's a little bit different. Okay. When I talk about intensity, again, usually something physical like somebody has a small voice. If somebody has a small voice, sometimes it's a little bit hard to hear them. Did you hear that? Did you hear my small voice or do you hear my big voice now? But we'll get to that after.
Usually, we use "little" with uncountables; money, time. "I have a little money." Not "small money". Small money means like in Canada, we have a dime, 10 cents, it's a very small coin but that's not what we're talking about. "A little money", when we're talking about quantity. So usually when you talk about uncountables -- things you can't count and you're not talking about physical size because it's not something physical, physical things you can count -- uncountables, not physical things, you usually use "small". If we talk about someone's stature... Now, what does "stature" mean? It means more or less like how people view this person or this thing. So look at the example. For example: if I say "A small man" versus "A little man". A small man means usually physically small; maybe short, maybe skinny, whatever. A little man is something... we don't care about this person. Right? He's small, I can step on him because he's not... doesn't have stature. A big man has a bit more stature. A large man is a large man, but we'll get to that in a second.
When we talk about adjective of degree. When we want... we use "little" almost like an adverb. So: "I'm a little tired." Not small tired, a little tired. Or if you say... and that means just a little bit. Right? Not a great amount. But if I say: "I'm a little irritated." I'm a little irritated means like ugh, you know, somebody made me irritated. Again, context will usually tell you that "little irritated" means very irritated. "Ugh, I'm a little irritated." Means I'm pissed off, to be honest, but we use "little" to make it softer. Okay? But, and another thing, again this usually comes back to countables or uncountables. When we're talking about countables and we want to talk about the quantity, like how much we have, we say: "We have a small amount of something" or "We have a small number of somethings." Again, you usually use amount with uncountables, you'll use number with countables.

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I listen to you*..

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You are a great teacher, Adam. Even really tricky things are more understandable thanks to your explanations.

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hi Adam I have been following your video since when i was a volunteer in Africa until I finished volunteer I'm thankful to learn English from your video it is extremely helpful me a lot to learn although my English is not perfect but i'm keeping to practice English.

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He was the first man on earth that's why he knows many things

[@pukpik8555]

I've often confused to use between "tall" and "high" for building. But now it's clear. Thank you very much.

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One of my favourite channels because Clear voice teaching techniques are absolutely different from others

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You're the most awesome English teacher in the whole universe ,thank you very much

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Congratulations Adam, I'm live in Rio de janeiro and I've been learning a lot with your classes.

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Best teacher ever

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Rusli Irawan '

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Rusli Irawan "' K

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I'm from Saudi Arabia and this teacher is one of the best teachers I have ever seen thanks a lot.

[@larryf2821]

Little also has the connotation of being cute for example, Little bird, little house, little baby. "Small" with those words carries no emotional content.

[@syndicateprox]

Hahaha I died when he got to the tall/high part. This guy is something else.

[@victormanuellozaa.7513]

I found your lesson suddenly Adam. You're a great teacher so I prefer you than other teachers I've been had. Keep working as you know. Best regards from Mexico

[@joecotom2181]

Thanks Adam. I was a little confused with tha words tall and high, but after watching your explaination i think that´s been cleared up.

[@JeffGoesGlobal]

Thank you very much for your videos. They are helping me a lot to improve my english and to prepare myself to the TOEFL exam. Regards from Brazil!!

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Hi, Adam! I very like your lessons, thanks. I am studying English and German.You help to learn English to me. I like it! Thank you.

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I'm a trainer of spoken English. I find your videos a godsend. Thanks a zillion, Adam.

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I can't thank u enough Teacher Adam. God bless u

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Good

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No one but you can explain this topic so clearly.

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You're my favorite English teacher Adam.

[@SingingAko]

Thank you very much for your very clear speaking and easy to understand even for a beginner English speaker like me.

[@nawarnawar5822]

These words have been confuesing me since i started learning English but now they are so clear. Thank you so much but i have an additional question whish is: When do we use ( few)? and when do we use (afew) ? For example what is the difference between (few people) and (afew people) it is a little bit tricky.

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Thank you very much for your explanation. You are one of the best teacher!

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HI Adam, your lessons are very interesting, I am French, perhaps you know like it is difficult for a french student to learn English, but with you it s very easy. thanks a lot.

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+ines jl Salut! I started studying french about 3 weeks ago, so it is good to know a french person. Je suis mexicain!

[@silveranstavern]

You seem to have very good videos, and explain the connotations attached with words rather well. It takes native speakers a long time to develop the same imagery/connotations you ascribe to the words, and theirs is developed for years of historical use reinforcing the imagery involved with the words. I know I personally, relate little hands, as meaning more childlike versus a persons small hands meaning small for their size. Just to show emphasis on context.

[@artaknazaryan4757]

"I have the high ground" Obi-Wan 'Who's High?' Jimmy Kimmel

[@kashugaming4476]

Thanks adam for these amazing lectures you are such a great teacher. could you please tell us that where we can use may/might and would/will and could/can....???

[@funkyboy355]

Hi Adam. I write you from Spain. Thanks a lot for your lessons. You're the best.

[@nicolasgartnercala6057]

Hello! thank you for your lessons!! they are very very useful for us foreign students who want to perfect our English!! Could you please do a video about the difference between using the verb to be as an infinitive or with ing. For instance, "This tool helps you to do your homework" "this tool helps you to doing your homework"... Maybe this is not the right example but I think you will get what I'm asking about. Thank you once again! looking forward to solving this English issue.

[@marin4311]

Very useful tips. Thank you, Adam.

[@kamalfarhat8480]

Thank you Mr. Adam for excellent classes

[@dvelopp]

Thanks! Context is the most important thing everywhere :D

[@NROLSN]

great, you make me think that learning english is not so hard. thank you Adam

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Dear Adam 1000000 subscribers! Do you know I was watching a video of yours while the counter was suddenly moving towards your fantastic goal! I wish you the best. A huge hug from Trentino. Alfonso

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Love your teaching. Great teacher

[@levifreireful]

Thanks, Adam. Your explanation is perfect.(Portugues:Obrigado, Adam. Sua explicação é pefeita).

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Great teacher for me,A lot of confuse of vocabulary in my brain have got clearly solution from this channel,thank you so much

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your teaching style is very impressive :). Good men

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The best teacher I can understand. thank you very much for your service

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Hi Adam, I really appreciate all your lessons. Thanks a lot!

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I'm simply a student, and I like very much your way to teach. many compliments.

[@LeandroKinouchi]

Good topic to talk about and a good explanation, thank you!

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Aaand a sense of good humour :D ! I prepare to my exam with your videos daily.

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I don't learning too long time in English, but I very like your videos. Thanks these are minutes.

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Man! .. I've been watching all your videos!! they're awesome!. Thanks to you i've improved my english!!!

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All your lessons are excellent. You are always to the point and you are enthusiastic about teaching and that`s what makes learning easy. I`m a nonnative teacher of English and I`m learning from you. Thank you and God bless you!

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Engvid teachers are all very good. I love this site. Canada can be a great place to learn English.

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Thanks teacher! Your lessions are very useful.

[@jennycundiff8395]

Terrific lesson! Thanks for the reminders to this English speaker. :)

[@katalinmartonnenagy310]

Hi, Adam. You're really excellent. However this time I missed that you didn' mention ''great'', and the difference between "little" vs. "a little, and "few" vs. a "few". Perhaps in another video...

[@TheBorakai]

Thank you very much! I understand allmost everything what you explain! My English is more better now!

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adam you are best teacher

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Thanks for your useful lessons What about tall and long? What are the differences?

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You are a great teacher 😭😃😃😃

[@1205Alena]

I really like your way of teaching - you catch the attention and explain everything clearly and simple.. I want to ask you is it right to use "older" brother? As I know we should use ELDER in the family

[@Melissa-wx4lu]

Yes that's right. "He's my OLDER bother." also fine to say "BIG Brother" "He's my YOUNGER brother." Fine to say "LITTLE bother" They are both used often.

[@aidazubair]

Thank you so much for your lesson Adam!

[@user-rm3kd8rb9u]

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[@MiguelMGraziottin]

HI! Please let me know. In a description of a house: Its a small single floor house with a central door between two small windows. The Question: Can I use "little" instead "small" just for not repeat words or is a grammatical mistake?Thanks

[@haroldlake1005]

Excellent lesson. Very clear. Thanks.

[@NamHoang-qd7bz]

I really like all your lessons. could you make a video about "a little/ a bit/ a little bit"? Thank you.

[@priscillawilson2634]

These are all the same thing. Any difference is probably from the person's ethnic origin ('wee' from the Irish).

[@yourhighness4746]

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+YOUR HIGHNESS God bless all the Good people in this world !

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Thank you! I love your lessons and they help me so much! You're a skilled teacher.

[@vickysmackdown1]

Thanks Adam! :) for such nice lesson.

[@alvarolino]

Perfect explanation! Thx a lot, Adam!

Excellent like ever, but I think you could give us some general context to help us when to use big and when to use large... Thank you anyway... You are BIG teacher (I hope to have used the right word)

[@sumathiranaweera7823]

A great teacher. Good explanation. Clear.

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hello Adam, you are doing great job. I really appreciate your teaching method and it's helpful a lot for us as foreign students. thank you so much....

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the best english teacher on youtube

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[@ahcaray6937]

Adam you are amazing (high) teacher...greetings from Aguascalientes Mexico😘😘

[@davidorozco7575]

I got confused this morning I didn’t know with tall and high … but now I’m Gucci 😊 great teacher 👨‍🏫

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congratulations for the lessons. great presenter!

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There was somethings that I coudn't understand because english is not my first language, but I understood almost evrything, thanks dude.

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Great lesson explaining the subtleties!!

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You are one of the Best Teacher.

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Thank you very much teacher

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could you explain the difference between under, below, beneath, underneath ?

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That might be really hard to explain, but you did a great effort! :D THANK YOU

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Very good explanation large in Spanish We have the tendency to compare with the word largo who means a person and object thin and tall. But mostly for the same writting. Big we asociate mostly with fat or wider person.

[@user-ir7ih6lk1w]

how about the price of this item is higher than another?

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Thank you Adam! You are help me a lots.

[@leon120758]

Thank you Adam you explain clearly this confusing adjectives!

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best teacher i ever watch his videos. my English writing is perfect but speaking is not good, so how can i improve my language thanks infinite love and serenity.

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Context is very important. Thanks a lot.

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Great video lesson. Very helpful!

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Would you please explain the difference, Adam: big factory/large factory? Thanks.

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