Cool MateHold vs Stake
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hold
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Stake
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1noun
Most common: Hold
| Hold | Stake | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/həʊld/","/həʊldz/","/held/","/ˈhəʊldɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/həʊld/","/həʊldz/","/held/","/ˈhəʊldɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/steɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/steɪk/"]/ |
| Meaning | To have something in your hands or arms. | A stake is a strong post or a share in something. |
| Example | Please hold this book while I grab my bag. | He drove a wooden stake into the ground to mark the boundary of his property. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Collocations | firmly, securely, tightly, commonly, widely, deeply | controlling, large, majority, have, own, acquire, stake in, big, high, low, play for, raise, lower, at stake, with so much at stake |
| Antonyms | release, let go, drop | disinterest, detachment |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'held' in past tense forms., Using 'hold' when referring to emotional support instead of 'support'., Mistakenly used as 'hold on' in formal writing. | Confused with 'steak', the food., Using 'stake' without an object, like saying 'I have a stake' without specifying what it's in., Overusing 'stake' in informal settings. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in very formal writing for physical holding; instead, use 'grasp' or 'clutch.' | Use 'stake' when talking about interests in projects, money, or property. It's neutral, suitable for both formal and casual contexts. Avoid using 'stake' in overly casual conversations as it may sound too serious. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hold vs Stake
What's the difference between Hold and Stake?
Hold: To have something in your hands or arms. Stake: A stake is a strong post or a share in something.
Which is more common: Hold and Stake?
Hold is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Hold and Stake?
Stake is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Hold and Stake the same CEFR level?
Hold: A2, Stake: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Hold and Stake?
Hold: verb, Stake: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Hold: Please hold this book while I grab my bag. Stake: He drove a wooden stake into the ground to mark the boundary of his property.
Can I use Hold and Stake interchangeably?
Not always. Hold and Stake are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.