Cool MateCase vs Example
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Case
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Example
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
| Case | Example | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/keɪs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/keɪs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzɑːmpl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzæmpl/"]/ |
| Meaning | A situation or example. | A sample or model of something to show how it works. |
| Example | Please put the documents in the case for safekeeping. | Please follow this example to complete your assignment. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | classic, textbook, typical, illustrate, show, cite, arise, occur, study, example, in somebody’s/this case, case of, case by case, a case in point, be, remain, overstate, classic, textbook, typical, illustrate, show, cite, arise, occur, study, example, in somebody’s/this case, case of, case by case, a case in point, notorious, tragic, assault, handle, investigate, work on, file, report, officer, on the case, case of, court, criminal, civil, bring, prosecute, pursue, come before somebody, come to court, go to court, in a/the case, case against, case of, a case to answer, no case to answer, the circumstances of a case, compelling, convincing, good, have, prepare, outline, exist, case against, case for, the case for the defence/defense, the case for the prosecution, the merits of a case, carrying, packing, glass, in a/the case, inside a/the case, out of a/the case, attaché, overnight, acute, chronic, advanced, diagnose, report, history, notes, records, case of | characteristic, classic, prime, give somebody, offer, provide (somebody with), demonstrate something, highlight something, illustrate something, for example, in an/the example, example of, characteristic, classic, prime, give somebody, offer, provide (somebody with), demonstrate something, highlight something, illustrate something, for example, in an/the example, example of, good, great, inspiring, set, show, follow, by example, example to, make an example of somebody, good, great, inspiring, set, show, follow, by example, example to, make an example of somebody |
| Antonyms | sameness, uniformity | counterexample, exception |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'case' as a container instead of a situation., Using 'case' without properly specifying what type of case (e.g., legal case, medical case). | Confused with 'exemplary', which means perfect or model., Using 'example' in plural without 'examples' when talking about multiple cases., Mispronouncing it as 'egg-zample' instead of 'ig-zample'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'case' to refer to a particular situation, especially in legal or medical contexts. It is less formal than 'instance' and more common in everyday conversation. | Use 'example' when illustrating a point or providing a representation. It's suitable in most contexts, but avoid in very casual situations where simpler words may be more appropriate. |
Frequently asked questions: Case vs Example
What's the difference between Case and Example?
Case: A situation or example. Example: A sample or model of something to show how it works.
Are Case and Example the same CEFR level?
Case: A2, Example: A1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Case and Example interchangeably?
Not always. Case and Example 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.