These words mean using a date earlier than now. It is often used in business especially when a customer wants a bill (or invoice) with a date earlier than today. Look at these examples:

• “Thank you for paying your monthly bill. Do you want me to backdate it to the beginning of the month?”
• Backdating is an illegal practice when issuing stock options.
• I can backdate your certificates of achievement to 3 months before today.

Popularity: 48%

The pronunciation of these two words is exactly the same, but they mean different things. Look at these examples:
“I knead dough.” means you fold and press the ingredients you make bread with, but “I need dough.” is slang for needing money. You can also use the word bread instead of dough.

Remember, in Japanese, knead is 捏ねる（こねる）koneru and need is 要る（いる）iru.

Popularity: 53%

The word daydreaming means to be thinking about something other than the conversation you are having with somebody or the work you are currently doing. In Japanese it translates into ぼーっとする。Look at this example of how to use it:

• Mary: John did you hear what I just said?
• John: I am sorry Mary. I was daydreaming. Could you repeat what you said?

Popularity: 43%

What is wrong with this sentence?

• I went to flower shop

.

You need an article before the word flower shop. Both the and a are correct, but their use is different.
Use the when you have already mentioned the flower shop in the conversation.
Use a when you are talking about it for the first time.

Popularity: 54%

Expressions using the phrase “sugar coat” describe something that is nicer than reality. This is often used in sentences where the speaker is making situation look or sound better than it actually is. For example, if your boss is trying to tell you some bad news, it might sound like this:

Boss: John can I speak to you for a minute?
John: Sure, what’s up?!
Boss: Well as you know the company is trying really hard to remain profitable. I know that you are working very hard and you are sacrificing a lot of your personal time for the company.
John: Look, don’t sugar coat it. Just tell me what you want.
Boss: John, you are right. I have to lay you off.

Popularity: 37%