Teacher Amanda is back after a brief hiatus (hī-AY-tes, meaning a pause or gap)! The hiatus was because I moved, and that’s what inspired this blog post!
1. hire movers vs. rent a U-Haul
“Did you hire movers or get a U-Haul?”
When moving, you decide to either hire people (movers) to move your belongings for you with their truck, or rent a truck and move your belongings yourself, which is many times referred to as renting or getting a U-Haul.
“U-Haul” is simply a brand name of a popular company that rents moving trucks nationwide; there are many others.
2. to pack and unpack
“I don’t mind packing, but unpacking boxes after moving is the worst!”
Probably the most self-explanatory words in this list: “To pack” and “to unpack” means putting your things into boxes and taking them out before and after a move.
Note that “unpack” officially stresses the first syllable – UN-pack – but it is not uncommon to hear the second syllable stressed.
3. apartment vs. condo
These are two types of places to live, and “condo” is short for “condominium.”
The difference between an apartment and a condo is generally ownership: apartments are rented and condos are usually owned. Both are generally located in buildings with other units.
4. mail forwarding
“I scheduled my mail forwarding to start on Friday, and I’m moving on Saturday.”
Telling the post office about your new address – or “mail forwarding” – is a phrase that may be slightly different in other English-speaking countries outside the U.S.
5. utilities
“Water is included in the rental price of this apartment, but all other utilities are paid separately.”
A service such a water, electricity, gas, garbage pick-up, etc.
Home owners must pay all of these themselves.
Renters, however, may have to pay all, some, or none, depending on the landlord.
6. moving vs. relocating
Technically, moving to any new home is relocating…and relocating is moving, but they are used differently.
a) We’re moving next month!
b) We’re relocating next month!
Statement “a” is more general and implies “We are moving out of our current home and into a different home next month.”
How far they are moving isn’t indicated, although it likely is not extremely far from their current location.
Statement “b”, however, implies “We are moving out of our current home in this city/country and moving into a different area far away.” “
Relocating” indicates the speaker is moving far – generally out of the state or even out of the country.
Note that it is perfectly fine to use “moving” for any type of move, even large distances: “I’m moving to Russia next month! I got a job teaching in Moscow!”
Get more lessons like this by email!
Sign up for my e-newsletters and get a free downloadable lesson in your first email!
Teacher Amanda 