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sprain ~ strain

[different pronunciation]

“Sprain”, as a verb, is ‘to damage or injure a part in one’s body, especially a wrist or ankle, usually suddenly and accidentally, bending it too much (twisting it)’; as a noun, it is ‘the act of damaging or injuring a wrist or ankle’,

e.g.

She fell down the steps and sprained her ankle.

He had a bad wrist sprain.

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“Strain”, as a noun, is ‘the pressure, burden or tiredness on somebody or something because they have too much to do, or the problem or difficult situation is too big or too complicated; (of a person) the mental pressure or tiredness because of trying to solve or face a difficult situation; the too much pressure or force put on something that will break or damage the thing; a new type or kind of an animal or plant or a disease’; as a verb, it is ‘to try very hard to do something, using one’s full strength or force, or ability; to draw, pull or stretch/spread something over something else; to separate some hard matter from a liquid’,

{Note: ‘Strainer’ is a device, a kitchen appliance, that is used to separate hard matter from liquid, e.g. the pulp of oranges from the juice}

e.g.

The strain of feeding such a large family was too much for her, and she eventually fell ill.

Children strain their eyes when they read their lessons in poor light.

He strained hard, using all his mental capabilities, to solve the equation.

Cooks usually strain excess water while cooking rice.

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