Cool MateCapture vs Shot
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Capture
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Shot
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
| Capture | Shot | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkæptʃə(r)/","/ˈkæptʃəz/","/ˈkæptʃəd/","/ˈkæptʃərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkæptʃər/","/ˈkæptʃərz/","/ˈkæptʃərd/","/ˈkæptʃərɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃɒt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃɑːt/"]/ |
| Meaning | To take something or someone and hold them. | A quick way to take a picture or move something suddenly. |
| Example | The photographer aimed to capture the beauty of the sunset. | He took a shot at the target and hit the bullseye. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Collocations | accurately, perfectly, beautifully, try to, be able to, manage to | excellent, fine, good, volley, aim, fire, take, ring out, hit somebody/something, strike somebody/something, shot from, shot to, crack, excellent, good, excellent, fine, good, crack, get in, have, be on target, go wide, miss, shot at, shot on, shot from, camera, close-up, long, series, get, take, snap, show something, shot from, shot of, camera, close-up, long, series, get, take, snap, show something, shot from, shot of, booster, allergy, flu, give somebody, get, have, shot of |
| Antonyms | release, free, let go | pause, rest |
| Common mistakes | 'Capture' used without an object (e.g., saying 'I will capture.'), 'Capture' confused with 'caught' in past tense., 'Capture' improperly used in place of 'seize' which has a different nuance. | Confusing 'shot' with 'shop', especially in pronunciation., Using 'shot' instead of 'shoot' in phrases like 'shot a photo' instead of 'shot a picture'., 'Shot' can be confused with the verb form (to shoot), especially in different tenses. |
| Usage notes | Use 'capture' when you want to express taking control of something, either physically or metaphorically. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in situations that imply violence. | Use 'shot' in informal contexts when talking about photography or sports. It can be less appropriate in formal writing. In slang, it can refer to a quick drink of alcohol. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Capture vs Shot
What's the difference between Capture and Shot?
Capture: To take something or someone and hold them. Shot: A quick way to take a picture or move something suddenly.
Are Capture and Shot the same CEFR level?
Capture: B2, Shot: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Capture and Shot?
Capture: verb, Shot: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Capture: The photographer aimed to capture the beauty of the sunset. Shot: He took a shot at the target and hit the bullseye.
Can I use Capture and Shot interchangeably?
Not always. Capture and Shot 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.