Hello I'm Emma from mmmEnglish!
In this lesson, I'm going to talk about
two very similar English words.
They're both bold, strong, serious words
and very similar in their meaning.
But if you use these words incorrectly,
it will start to sound unnatural or just a bit weird.
So that's why we're going to spend a little time today
talking about the differences between them.
Now we're more familiar with these words
when it comes to fitness, right?
Power relates to energy and an ability to do something,
whereas strength relates to muscles
and also an ability to do something.
It's really easy to see physical power and strength
in athletes, right? You can see it.
But they both have a more intangible,
And that's where these words often
get confused by English learners.
So the word power refers to the ability of somebody
or something to change or affect something.
So physically, a sprinter, who's someone who
runs really fast over short distances,
their speed and position quickly.
But it can refer to mechanical situations as well,
where a machine does something.
Or it can refer to social or political situations
where a person or a group does something
and this is often related to the ability to influence
or control people or a situation.
Now, power can also refer to your internal ability
You have the power to change your life
Now the word strength has a few different meanings
but most relevant here is that it refers to a
person's physical or mental ability to do something.
Obviously, it relates to physical strength,
the strength of muscles to lift weights for example.
But also mental strength, so the strength of your mind
to believe in yourself, to persevere,
to overcome problems and doubts.
Now, elite athletes are strong physically and mentally
because they must believe that they are the best,
to be able to perform at their best.
When describing people's ability to do something,
power usually refers to control over yourself,
control over others or control over a situation.
So in some ways, this can be a negative expression of
dominance or something that must be fought for
Where strength is positive and often
within a person or within a group.
Generally, strength is a more positive and pure way
of expressing an ability to do something.
Both the words power and strength are nouns
but just as common, are their adjective forms,
which, when used, tend to sound a little more informal.
She's a strong and determined woman.
This is the most powerful and proactive
government since the 1950s.
Strength can also mean an advantage or
In a job interview, you might get asked this question,
For me, that's the dreaded question!
I hate having to talk about my strengths.
But what are the good features or characteristics
that you have? That you'll be able to use
is her determination to succeed.
Keep in mind that strength has a direct opposite.
We need to identify the weaknesses in our team.
But power does not have a direct opposite.
We would just say lack of power
or describe someone as powerless,
to stop the resort development.
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