Cool MateBoost vs Multiply
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Boost
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Multiply
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
| Boost | Multiply | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/buːst/","/buːsts/","/ˈbuːstɪd/","/ˈbuːstɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/buːst/","/buːsts/","/ˈbuːstɪd/","/ˈbuːstɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmʌltɪplaɪ/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪz/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪd/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmʌltɪplaɪ/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪz/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪd/","/ˈmʌltɪplaɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to increase or improve something | To increase a number by another number. |
| Example | to boost exports/profits | To find the area of a rectangle, you need to multiply its length by its width. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | considerably, dramatically, greatly, help (to), to | endlessly, indefinitely, greatly, by, endlessly, indefinitely, greatly, by, endlessly, indefinitely, greatly, by |
| Antonyms | decrease, diminish, reduce | divide |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'boast' – they have different meanings., Using 'boost' with uncountable nouns incorrectly., Confusing transitive use of 'boost' with intransitive. | Confusing 'multiply' with 'add' or 'subtract'., Incorrectly using 'multiply by' when it should be 'multiply with'., Omitting the number when stating the multiplication. |
| Usage notes | Used in various contexts, such as improving performance or enhancing qualities. Avoid in highly formal contexts. | Commonly used in math contexts, suitable for both casual and formal situations. Avoid using in literal sense when discussing general growth or increase. |
Frequently asked questions: Boost vs Multiply
What's the difference between Boost and Multiply?
Boost: to increase or improve something Multiply: To increase a number by another number.
Are Boost and Multiply the same CEFR level?
Boost: B2, Multiply: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Boost and Multiply interchangeably?
Not always. Boost and Multiply 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.