Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse writers. I have found the following to be among them:
CEMENT / CONCRETE
The noun cement refers to a pulverized powder used in the making of mortar and concrete. In other words, concrete is used to make sidewalks, and cement is used to make concrete. Since the word cement is so often used to mean concrete, for years I thought they were interchangeable in reference to the building material. It was not until I went to a seminar on new development construction that I was informed of the difference. Live and learn!
Incorrect: The house was built on a cement slab.
Correct: The house was built on a concrete slab.
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