Are you confused about the difference between a chore and an errand? Many English learners struggle with these two everyday terms. In this blog post from MK’s English, you’ll learn the definitions, key differences, and practical examples so you can speak more naturally and confidently.
🧹 What Is a Chore? (Definition + Examples)
A chore is a regular household task that you do to maintain cleanliness and order in your home. Chores are part of your daily or weekly routine and are usually not fun—but they’re necessary!
✅ Common Household Chores:
- Washing the dishes
- Doing the laundry
- Sweeping or vacuuming the floor
- Taking out the garbage
- Making your bed
- Watering plants
- Feeding the pets
🔑 Key Point:
A chore is something you do inside or around the house as part of your household responsibilities.
🛒 What Is an Errand? (Definition + Examples)
An errand is a short trip you make to complete a task, usually outside your home. Errands involve visiting places like the store, post office, or bank.
✅ Common Errands in Daily Life:
- Buying groceries
- Mailing a letter or package
- Picking up dry cleaning
- Going to the pharmacy
- Dropping off a form at city hall
- Getting gas for your car
🔑 Key Point:
An errand requires you to go out to get something done.
🔍 Chore vs. Errand: What’s the Real Difference?
| Feature | Chore | Errand |
|---|---|---|
| Where it happens | At home | Outside the home |
| Type of task | Household task | Out-of-home task |
| Frequency | Daily or weekly routine | As needed |
| Real-life example | Vacuuming your bedroom | Going to the post office |
🧠 How to Use Chore and Errand in Sentences
- “I finished all my chores before lunch—vacuuming, doing the dishes, and folding laundry.”
- “This afternoon, I have to run a few errands, like picking up groceries and going to the bank.”
- “She does her chores in the morning and runs errands in the afternoon.”
👉 Pro tip: The phrase “run errands” is very common in spoken English!
🗣️ Want to Practice English Like This?
At MK’s English, I specialize in helping learners improve daily conversation skills, test preparation (like EIKEN, TOEIC, and IELTS), and practical vocabulary like this. My lessons are fun, friendly, and focused on real communication.
🎓 Check out my online courses or book a free consultation to see how I can help you!