“Basket”, “Jogging”, “Pull”… Why These Words Are Not English (Even If They Look Like It)

One of the most interesting moments in my lessons is when learners say something with complete confidence… and the word simply doesn’t exist in English.

Not because it’s badly pronounced.

Not because the grammar is wrong.

But because the word looks English while actually being French.

Clothing vocabulary is full of these traps. If you’re a French speaker learning English, you’ve probably said things like basket, jogging or pull without hesitation. And honestly, that makes perfect sense.

These are mistakes I hear regularly in my classes, whether in online education or face-to-face lessons. Let’s look at why they happen — and how to fix them easily.

Why these words feel so logical

French has borrowed hundreds of words from English over the years. Some kept their original meaning. Others changed slightly — or completely.

When learners see a word that:

• looks English

• sounds English

• exists in French daily life

The brain naturally assumes it works the same way in English.

In my experience as an English teacher in Vincennes, these mistakes are not about level. I hear them from beginners, intermediate learners, and even advanced speakers who are otherwise very fluent.

The problem isn’t carelessness. It’s false familiarity.

The most common clothing false friends I hear

Let’s look at a few classics from my lessons — and where they actually come from.

“Basket”

In French, des baskets means trainers or sneakers.

What’s interesting is that basket was originally a French word (basquette), which later influenced English. Over time, English kept basket for objects, while French reused the word for shoes.

In English today:

• ❌ I bought new baskets

• ✅ I bought new trainers (UK)

• ✅ I bought new sneakers (US)

In English, basket is something you carry — not something you wear.

“Jogging”

In French, un jogging refers to sportswear, usually a tracksuit or sweatpants.

In English:

• ❌ I’m wearing a jogging

• ✅ I’m wearing a tracksuit

• ✅ I’m wearing sweatpants

The word jogging does exist in English, but only for the activity. It never refers to clothing.

“Pull”

This one is particularly interesting.

In French, un pull means a sweater.But the word actually comes from “pull-over”, which is an English term.

Over time, French shortened pull-over to pull. English didn’t.

In English today:

• ❌ I like your pull

• ✅ I like your sweater

• ✅ I like your jumper (UK)

In English, to pull remains a verb. Native speakers never use it as a noun for clothing.

These examples come up constantly in private tutoring in English, especially when learners speak freely and stop translating.

What English speakers actually say

Native speakers tend to use very concrete clothing vocabulary. Nothing fancy, nothing abstract.

Some useful everyday replacements:

• basket → trainers / sneakers

• jogging → tracksuit / sweatpants

• pull → sweater / jumper

Once learners switch to these words, their English immediately sounds more natural.

In my English course in Vincennes, I encourage students to focus on what they hear, not what feels logical in French. English doesn’t reward clever guessing — it rewards exposure.

Why these mistakes keep coming back

These errors are recurring because:

• The French word is used daily

• The English-looking form feels “safe”

• No one corrects it outside the classroom

Learners often tell me: “But everyone understands me.”

And they’re right — usually people do. But being understood is not the same as sounding natural or confident.

This is one of the key reasons learners choose an English course with CPF: they want structured correction, not just conversation.

How to remember the correct vocabulary

Here’s what works best with my learners:

• Stop translating clothing word-for-word

• Learn clothes in context (shopping, weather, work)

• Notice what native speakers say in films or series

• Accept correction as progress, not failure

For translations, I strongly recommend wordreference.com rather than automatic tools.This online dictionary shows:

• different meanings

• real examples

• context-based translations

It’s far more effective than Google Translate for vocabulary learning.

This approach fits perfectly with e-learning formats, where repetition and real usage matter more than lists.

Final thought

If you’ve ever said basket, jogging or pull in English, don’t worry. You’re not alone — and you’re not wrong to think that way.

These words are part of a shared learning journey for French speakers. The key is noticing them, correcting them gently, and moving on with more confidence.

And if you recognise yourself in these examples, that’s exactly what my lessons are for 🙂