"Concern" or "Be concerned"?

These two verbal expressions tend to be misused.

"to concern" means "to be about" as in this example:

• "The passage I have read concerns the problem of pollution in HK."

"to be concerned" means "to be worried" and is often used with "about" or "for". Here are two examples that show you how to use this:

• "His mother was concerned about his poor results."
• "The police were concerned for the safety of the missing hiker."

Lend or Borrow?

Many students confuse these two verbs. For example I often hear,
"Can I lend a pen?" when someone finds they don't have a pen to write with.
Remember: The persons who wants something "borrows it".
The person who has something "lends it".
So if you need something say, "Can I borrow a/some ______ please?"