Research is careful study, an experiment is one test, a discovery is something new, and evidence shows what is true.
Finding things out
Not "I need to do a research for my essay." — say "I need to do some research for my essay.". Research is uncountable: some research, never a research.
Try it: Liam: What are you doing with those two pots of beans? Amina: It's an ___. One gets sun, and one stays in the dark. Choose the word for the blank. (experiment / invention / research) Answer: experiment — An experiment is one test you set up to see what happens.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
research
/rɪˈsɜːrtʃ/
Yasmin did some research on city traffic for her course.
experiment
/ɪkˈsperɪmənt/
Our class did an experiment with magnets today.
discovery
/dɪˈskʌvəri/
Amina described a major scientific discovery in her presentation.
evidence
/ˈevɪdəns/
The photos are evidence that the bridge needs repairs.
New things and better ways
An invention is a new thing someone creates; an innovation is a new way to do something better; technology means tools and machines.
Not "The wheel was innovated thousands of years ago." — say "The wheel was invented thousands of years ago.". You invent a brand-new thing; an innovation improves how something already works.
Try it: Mateo: Did the community center buy new computers? Ethan: No, we just changed how people sign up for classes. It's a small ___, but it saves time. Choose the word for the blank. (innovation / discovery / scientist) Answer: innovation — An innovation is a new way that improves something that already exists.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
invention
/ɪnˈvenʃn/
The class discussed an invention that changed transportation.
innovation
/ˌɪnəˈveɪʃn/
The new booking system was an important innovation for the clinic.
technology
/tekˈnɑlədʒi/
The hospital invested in modern medical technology.
Verbs: discover, invent, produce
Discover means find something that existed but was unknown; invent means create something new; produce means make or cause a result.
Not "Who discovered the telephone?" — say "Who invented the telephone?". You discover something that already exists; you invent something that never existed before.
Try it: Maya: Where did you buy that clever bike light? Lani: I didn't. A friend ___ it. Nothing like it existed before. Choose the word for the blank. (invented / discovered / researched) Answer: invented — To invent is to create something that did not exist before.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
discover
/dɪˈskʌvər/
Researchers discovered new evidence about the illness.
invent
/ɪnˈvent/
Wei wants to invent a game for learning new words.
produce
/prəˈduːs/
This garden produces most of the cafe's vegetables.
People and big moments
A scientist studies the natural world; a breakthrough is a sudden, important result that changes what people can do.
Try it: Mei: Why is everyone talking about the farming team? Farid: They tried for ten years, and now they can grow rice in salty soil. It's a huge ___. Choose the word for the blank. (breakthrough / experiment / technology) Answer: breakthrough — A breakthrough is a sudden, important result after a long time of work.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
scientist
/ˈsaɪəntɪst/
The scientist spends most days in the lab.
breakthrough
/ˈbreɪkθruː/
The new battery was a real breakthrough.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
I need to do a research for my essay.
I need to do some research for my essay.
Research is uncountable: some research, never a research.
The wheel was innovated thousands of years ago.
The wheel was invented thousands of years ago.
You invent a brand-new thing; an innovation improves how something already works.
Who discovered the telephone?
Who invented the telephone?
You discover something that already exists; you invent something that never existed before.