Cool MateShare vs Stake
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Share
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Stake
Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1noun
Most common: Share
| Share | Stake | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃeə(r)/","/ʃeəz/","/ʃeəd/","/ˈʃeərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃer/","/ʃerz/","/ʃerd/","/ˈʃerɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/steɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/steɪk/"]/ |
| Meaning | To let someone use or have part of something that you have. | A stake is a strong post or a share in something. |
| Example | I will share my toys with my friends. | 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 | A1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| 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 | controlling, large, majority, have, own, acquire, stake in, big, high, low, play for, raise, lower, at stake, with so much at stake |
| Antonyms | hoard, keep, withhold | disinterest, detachment |
| 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') | 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 | 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. | 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: Share vs Stake
What's the difference between Share and Stake?
Share: To let someone use or have part of something that you have. Stake: A stake is a strong post or a share in something.
Which is more common: Share and Stake?
Share is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Share and Stake?
Stake is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Share and Stake the same CEFR level?
Share: A1, Stake: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Share and Stake?
Share: verb, Stake: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Share: I will share my toys with my friends. Stake: He drove a wooden stake into the ground to mark the boundary of his property.
Can I use Share and Stake interchangeably?
Not always. Share 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.