Share vs You can spare some then
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Share
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
You can spare some then
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: ShareMost common: Share
| Share | You can spare some then | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃeə(r)/","/ʃeəz/","/ʃeəd/","/ˈʃeərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃer/","/ʃerz/","/ʃerd/","/ˈʃerɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //juː kən spɛə sʌm ðɛn//🇺🇸 //ju kən spɛr sʌm ðɛn// |
| Meaning | To let someone use or have part of something that you have. | You can give or use a little more time or resources. |
| Example | I will share my toys with my friends. | If you can spare some then, I would love to borrow that book. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared, fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared, fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared | spare time, spare change, spare resources, spare parts, spare effort |
| Antonyms | hoard, keep, withhold | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'share' without an object (e.g., saying 'I will share' instead of 'I will share my lunch'), Confusing 'share' with 'sharpen', Incorrectly using 'share' as a noun rather than a verb (e.g., saying 'the share of the book' instead of 'the sharing of the book') | Confusing with 'spare' as in 'spare room' meaning extra space., Using 'then' when 'than' is appropriate, especially in comparisons., Overusing in formal writing where more specific language is needed. |
| Usage notes | Use 'share' when talking about dividing resources or experiences. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid in very formal contexts where more specific terms may be required. | This phrase is often used in casual conversations. It implies generosity or availability of something small. It may not be suitable in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Share vs You can spare some then
What's the difference between Share and You can spare some then?
Share: To let someone use or have part of something that you have. You can spare some then: You can give or use a little more time or resources.
Which is more formal: Share and You can spare some then?
Share is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Share and You can spare some then?
Share is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Share: I will share my toys with my friends. You can spare some then: If you can spare some then, I would love to borrow that book.
Can I use Share and You can spare some then interchangeably?
Not always. Share and You can spare some then 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.