Cool MateClause vs Condition
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clause
Top 2,000 (common)B1noun
Condition
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most common: Condition
| Clause | Condition | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/klɔːz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/klɔːz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈdɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈdɪʃn/"]/ |
| Meaning | A group of words with a subject and a verb that is part of a sentence. | A state or situation that must be met or that affects something. |
| Example | In legal terms, a clause is a distinct provision in a contract. | The condition of the car was poor after the long trip. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | main, subordinate, conditional, in a/the clause, confidentiality, indemnity, penalty, contain, have, add, in a/the clause, under a/the clause, clause on | excellent, good, immaculate, assess, evaluate, in… condition, critical, serious, stable, get better, improve, deteriorate, assess, monitor, in a… condition, in… condition, out of condition, be in no condition to do something, medical, life-threatening, serious, have, suffer from, be born with, favourable/favorable, good, ideal, live in, work in, work under, exist, persist, prevail, in condition, under condition, favourable/favorable, good, ideal, live in, work in, work under, exist, persist, prevail, in condition, under condition, strict, special, attach, impose, lay down, apply, on condition that, on… condition, under… condition, a breach of a condition, conditions of employment, sale, etc., terms and conditions, necessary, sufficient, create, condition for, human, improve |
| Antonyms | independent clause | disorder, chaos, confusion |
| Common mistakes | Confused 'clause' with 'clause of action'., Using 'clause' as a verb instead of a noun., Not recognizing dependent vs independent clauses. | Confused with 'conditions' as in multiple situations., Used incorrectly with verbs that don't match its meaning., Omitting the context, like 'condition of' instead of just 'condition'. |
| Usage notes | Usually used in academic, legal, or formal writing. Be careful not to confuse it with 'phrase,' which does not have both a subject and a verb. | Used in both everyday conversation and formal settings. More formal when discussing health or legal matters, while informal uses may be seen in everyday discussions about preferences. |
Frequently asked questions: Clause vs Condition
What's the difference between Clause and Condition?
Clause: A group of words with a subject and a verb that is part of a sentence. Condition: A state or situation that must be met or that affects something.
Which is more common: Clause and Condition?
Condition is the most common in everyday English.
Are Clause and Condition the same CEFR level?
Clause: B1, Condition: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Clause and Condition interchangeably?
Not always. Clause and Condition 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.