29. Big, large and great
We use big and large with concrete nouns - the names of objects which we can see or touch.
In an informal style, big is more common than large.
• He has got big / large feet.
• They have a large / big house in the city.
We use great with abstract nouns - the names of things which we cannot see or touch.
• I think it was a great mistake.
• I have great respect for him.
In an informal style big is also used with countable abstract nouns.
Large is not used with abstract nouns.
• I think it was a big mistake. (BUT NOT I think it was a large mistake.)
None of these three words are used with uncountable nouns.
• I have got a lot of luggage. (NOT I have got big/large/great luggage.)
30. Born and borne
The passive form of the verb born (be + born) is used to talk about coming into the world at birth.
• He was born to poor parents.
• I was born on a Friday.
• She was born in Italy.
Borne is the past participle form of the verb bear.
It is sometimes used to mean 'give birth to' or 'carry'.
• She has borne eight children. (= She has given birth to eight children.)
31. Bring and take
• Incorrect: I don't know what to bring when I leave for the conference.
• Correct: I don't know what to take when I leave for the conference.
• Incorrect: I shall bring my wife with me when I go.
• Correct: I shall take my wife with me when I go.
• Incorrect: Take that book to me at my desk.
• Correct: Bring that book to me at my desk.
Use bring when something is being moved towards the speaker.
• Bring me that book.
Use take when something is being moved away from the area of the speaker.
• Take that file with you. (Here the file is being moved away from the area of the speaker.)
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