In Today’s lesson we’re going to practice our pronunciation a bit and also learn when to use the words proof and prove, belief and believe.
These pairs of words are different by only one sound – the F sound and the V sound. We make these by using the same mouth position, with the top teeth touching the bottom lip. The only difference is that for the F sound we only blow air, and for the V sound we use our voice.
So first let’s practice pronouncing each word – listen and repeat after me:
proof
prove
Now say both: proof – prove
belief
believe
Now say both: belief – believe
OK, so we know the pronunciation difference between proof/prove, belief/believe, but when do we use each one?
Proof and belief are nouns, and prove and believe are verbs. Let’s look at some examples:
PROVE – VERB
The verb prove is the action of showing with certainty that something is true.
- The fingerprints proved that he had been at the scene of the crime.
- Hopefully the results of this experiment will prove that the new medicine is safe.
- My physics class is proving to be more difficult than I expected.
PROOF – NOUN
The noun proof refers to an object or fact that demonstrates that something is true.
- There wasn’t enough proof to convict him of the crime.
- To board the airplane, you need to show proof of your identity.
- This picture of her at the park is proof that she wasn’t at school that day.
BELIEVE – VERB
The verb believe is the action of thinking something is true or real:
- I believe that climate change is the biggest danger facing humanity.
- He claimed he loved her, but she didn’t believe him.
- This statue is believed to be sacred by followers of this religion.
BELIEF – NOUN
The noun belief is the fact/thought/idea that we accept as true:
- My cousin and I have very different political beliefs.
- Her belief in God gives her strength during hard times.
- Contrary to popular belief, it’s perfectly fine to go swimming right after eating
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