'Board' is a flat surface, a group of directors, or the act of getting on transport; 'bored' means feeling dull and restless.
Noun: a flat piece of wood, a committee of directors, or a whiteboard. Verb: to get on a plane, ship, or train.
The board of directors approved the merger unanimously.
Passengers may board the aircraft through gate seventeen.
He wrote the agenda on the whiteboard before the meeting.
Adjective. Feeling weary and uninterested due to lack of stimulation or variety.
She was bored during the three-hour conference call.
If you're bored, there are plenty of tasks you could help with.
The children looked bored waiting for the ceremony to start.
Common mistake
Confusing them in writing: "I was so board during that presentation" (correct: bored). Or using 'bored' instead of 'board' for the directors.
Trick to remember it
'Bored' ends in -RED, like feeling dead inside with boredom. 'Board' has a flat O in the middle — flat like a plank of wood.
Quick rule
Is it a flat surface, a group of directors, or getting on transport? 'Board'. Is it feeling uninterested or restless? 'Bored'.
Did you know?
The business expression 'on board' meaning 'in agreement' comes directly from the nautical sense of being aboard a ship. When a new team member joins, managers ask 'is everyone on board?' — essentially asking if all crew are present and ready to sail.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The children were completely _____ by the two-hour documentary about tax reform.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The _____ of trustees will review the proposal at next month's meeting.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is it a flat surface, a group of directors, or getting on transport? 'Board'. Is it feeling uninterested or restless? 'Bored'.
Confusing them in writing: "I was so board during that presentation" (correct: bored). Or using 'bored' instead of 'board' for the directors.
'Bored' ends in -RED, like feeling dead inside with boredom. 'Board' has a flat O in the middle — flat like a plank of wood.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy