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'Library' is where you borrow books; 'bookstore' is where you buy them.
Side-by-side comparison
"Library" is a place where you can borrow books for free. You do not pay for the books you take.
I borrowed three books from the library.
The library closes at 8 p.m.
She studies at the university library every day.
"Bookstore" (or "bookshop" in British English) is a shop where you buy books. You pay for what you take.
I bought this novel at the bookstore.
The new bookstore downtown has a great selection.
She works part-time at a bookstore.
Common mistake
- •"I went to the library to buy a new novel" is wrong: the library is for free borrowing.
- •To buy books you go to the bookstore.
Trick to remember it
- •"Library" = free to borrow (you return the book).
- •"Bookstore" = store where you pay (book + store = a store that sells books).
- •Return the book = library.
- •Buy the book = bookstore.
Quick rule
- •Going to borrow books for free? "Library".
- •Going to buy books? "Bookstore".
Did you know?
The US Library of Congress in Washington D.C. The English term "library" comes from Latin "librarium" (book cabinet), from "liber" (book, tree bark, in antiquity books were written on bark). In British English, the place to buy books is called a "bookshop" (not "bookstore"), the store/shop difference is typical between American and British English.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
I borrowed three novels from the _____ last week. I have to return them by Friday.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
She spent an hour in the _____ and bought four new books.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
'Currently' means 'at the present time'; 'actually' means 'in reality', not 'nowadays'.
"Above" is at a higher level without contact; "over" implies covering, movement, or crossing.
"Actually" corrects or contrasts an assumption; "really" intensifies or confirms.
'Adopt' means to take something on as your own; 'adapt' means to adjust to something new.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy