Cool MateCommission vs Fee
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Commission
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Fee
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Most common: Fee
| Commission | Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kəˈmɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəˈmɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/fiː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fiː/"]/ |
| Meaning | A fee paid to someone for doing a job or sale. | An amount of money that you pay for a service. |
| Example | She received a commission to create a new sculpture for the city park. | She had to pay a fee to enroll in the course. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | international, national, independent, appoint, create, establish, commission for, commission on, a commission of inquiry, big, high, small, earn, get, receive, in commission, on commission, commission for, on a commission basis, big, high, small, earn, get, receive, in commission, on commission, commission for, on a commission basis, private, public, accept, get, receive | exorbitant, fat, hefty, charge, impose, incur, be due, be payable, apply, income, revenue, payment, for a fee, fee for, fee on, exorbitant, fat, hefty, charge, impose, incur, be due, be payable, apply, income, revenue, payment, for a fee, fee for, fee on |
| Antonyms | bonus, salary, wage | refund, credit |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'commission' with 'commision' (incorrect spelling), Using 'commission' as a verb incorrectly, should be 'to commission something', Mixing up 'commission' with 'committee' | Confused with 'charge' - 'fee' usually refers to fixed amounts for services., Using 'fees' incorrectly in a singular context - e.g., saying 'a fee' when referring to multiple charges. |
| Usage notes | Used in business contexts; often refers to payments based on sales. Not typically used in casual conversation. | Use 'fee' in contexts related to payments for services like tuition, entry, or subscriptions. It’s not typically used for casual expenses like groceries. |
Frequently asked questions: Commission vs Fee
What's the difference between Commission and Fee?
Commission: A fee paid to someone for doing a job or sale. Fee: An amount of money that you pay for a service.
Which is more common: Commission and Fee?
Fee is the most common in everyday English.
Are Commission and Fee the same CEFR level?
Commission: B2, Fee: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Commission and Fee?
Commission: noun, Fee: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Commission: She received a commission to create a new sculpture for the city park. Fee: She had to pay a fee to enroll in the course.
Can I use Commission and Fee interchangeably?
Not always. Commission and Fee 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.