Confusing Words in English: Fun vs. Funny

Jul 5, 2017 | Advanced Vocabulary

Avoid common mistakes with fun vs. funny

Are you making mistakes with these words?

We had a fun time last night. No, wait. We had a funny time. Fun time? These two words look so similar so they must be the same, right?

Nope. That’s the surprise. They’re not exactly the same. In fact, these two words actually have different meanings!

What about this example? Try to identify the correct answer: The Ferris Wheel at the amusement park is so (fun or funny?)!!

In today’s Confident English lesson, you’ll find out what these two words mean and how to use them correctly so you can avoid common mistakes.

You’ll never make a mistake with these words again.

Lesson by Annemarie

Now that you’ve had a chance to watch the video and learn the difference between fun and funny, I have two challenge questions for you.

When was the last time you had a lot of fun? Tell me about it. And be sure to use the word fun in your comments.
And then, have you seen anything funny lately? A funny movie or TV show? Or have you heard something funny from a friend? What was it? Share with me in the comments.

This is the perfect opportunity to get practice and make sure you understand the differences between fun and funny. The best place to share is directly in the comments section below.

I look forward to hearing from you!

~ Annemarie

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14 Comments

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Tariq

3 years ago

I am so glad you and your loved one are having a fun time while swimming and playing in the swimming pool

Marius Gabriel Neacsu

We’ve had so much fun in all the 6 Weeks at Fluency School..It was only yesterday when we started… Funny how time slips away!
And I mean it !
This is not just a funny example how to use two words in a a funny way for fun! Even I have fun doing this and I am a @speakconfidentenglish big fan !

Last edited 3 years ago by Marius Gabriel Neacsu

TCT

5 years ago

Hi Annemarie!
1. Last Saturday, I took my son to Long Term Care to play violin for celebrating Mother’s Day. It was fun.
2. That was funny that my little son, 3 years old, told me ” i am cutting vegetables , it is very dangerous , stay away from me.”

thank you very much.

Giulia

Hi Annemarie!!
This morning I have met an old friend, she is very funny and we have had a lot of fun together

Yesterday evening was great fun because I sow a very funny tv show

thanks Annemarie!!!

Author

Annemarie

Reply to Giulia

Excellent use of fun and funny, Giulia! 🙂

vishnu

6 years ago

we had a lots of fun . We enjoyed our party and it was very funny when i danced .

Reply to vishnu

Well done, Vishnu!

Cara Leopold

7 years ago

I hear a lot of students confusing these words, but the difference is tricky to explain. There’s a fine line between the two. And 2 very different meanings of “funny”. Thanks for clarifying all this!

Medtu

Thanks Annemarie it’s a fun lesson. I hope it’s not funny mistake in first lesson. I’ll share with my friends

Reply to Medtu

Hi Medtu,

I’m glad it was a fun lesson! With your sentence, “I hope it’s not funny mistake in first lesson,” it looks like there are some articles missing (a/an/the). How might you change it?

Olga

Hello Annemarie!My examples:
1. In two weeks I am going to the Carpathian mountains with my family and I’m absolutely sure that this trip will be a fun!
2. Little children are so cute and funny when they are trying to master new skills.

Reply to Olga

Perfect, Olga. And so true about little kids! 🙂

Anna

Hello Annemarie,

Thank you again for the useful lesson. I have never thought about the difference between these two words.
1. I had a lot of fun when I was on my vacation in Bulgaria two year ago.
2. I watched a funny tv show on the Internet last week.

Reply to Anna

Excellent examples, Anna!!