Cool MateBorrow vs Obtain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Borrow
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Obtain
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most common: Borrow
| Borrow | Obtain | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈbɒrəʊ/","/ˈbɒrəʊz/","/ˈbɒrəʊd/","/ˈbɒrəʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈbɔːrəʊ/","/ˈbɔːrəʊz/","/ˈbɔːrəʊd/","/ˈbɔːrəʊɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əbˈteɪn//🇺🇸 //əbˈteɪn// |
| Meaning | To take something from someone with the promise to give it back later. | To get or receive something. |
| Example | Can I borrow your pen for a moment? | You need to obtain permission from the manager first. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | heavily, from, off, heavily, from, off, freely, from | obtain a degree, obtain funding, obtain information, obtain results, obtain consent |
| Antonyms | lend, return | lose, forfeit, surrender |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'borrow' with 'lend' (you borrow from someone, you lend to someone), Using 'borrow' without specifying the item being borrowed, Saying 'borrow to' instead of 'borrow from' | Confusing 'obtain' with 'get', which is less formal., Using 'obtain' incorrectly with intransitive forms., Incorrectly conjugating the verb in different tenses. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in everyday conversation. Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. Avoid using when referring to permanent possession. | Used in formal and neutral contexts. Common in academic and professional language. Not typically used in casual conversation. |
Frequently asked questions: Borrow vs Obtain
What's the difference between Borrow and Obtain?
Borrow: To take something from someone with the promise to give it back later. Obtain: To get or receive something.
Which is more common: Borrow and Obtain?
Borrow is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Borrow and Obtain?
Obtain is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Borrow and Obtain the same CEFR level?
Borrow: A2, Obtain: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Borrow and Obtain?
Borrow: verb, Obtain: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Borrow: Can I borrow your pen for a moment? Obtain: You need to obtain permission from the manager first.
Can I use Borrow and Obtain interchangeably?
Not always. Borrow and Obtain 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.