🤔 Is it “pending” or “on hold?” “Confirm” or “verify?” Ah yes, the English word maze—now with extra steps! 🌀📞

Even native speakers pause sometimes, but for ESL professionals? It’s a daily mental workout.

Let’s decode the top 4 workplace word duos:

 🎯 On Hold vs Pending

 🛑 On Hold: Not moving. Stuck in the waiting room of doom.

 🔄 Pending: Moving, just sloooowly.

 → “The project is on hold” = bring snacks, it’s gonna be a while.

 → “The invoice is pending” = still crawling toward approval.

🔍 Confirm vs Verify

 Confirm = “Yep, that’s correct.”

 Verify = “Let me double-check if it’s correct.”

 → Confirm is a nod. Verify is an audit.

📬 Reply vs Respond

 Reply = email ninja

 Respond = includes dramatic Slack GIFs and maybe action

 → “She replied to the email.”

 → “He responded to the complaint—with an apology and a refund.”

🧠 Explain vs Describe

 Explain: Why it works.

 Describe: What it looks/feels like.

 → “Explain the process” = nerd mode.

 → “Describe the results” = storytelling time.

🔥 Pro Tip: Don’t just memorize—use them. Say them out loud. Write silly sentences. 

What pair have gotten you—or your team—tongue-tied?

Drop it below and let’s build a cheat sheet for the whole squad 👇

📩 Want to feel more confident using the right words at work?

We help ESL professionals master workplace English—without the jargon, confusion, or cringe. We’re human, and we treat our clients like family. 

Visit www.AurumBorealis.com to sharpen your writing, speaking delivery, and everyday clarity.