Cool MateCommission vs Share
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Commission
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Share
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Most common: Share
| Commission | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kəˈmɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəˈmɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃeə(r)/","/ʃeəz/","/ʃeəd/","/ˈʃeərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃer/","/ʃerz/","/ʃerd/","/ˈʃerɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | A fee paid to someone for doing a job or sale. | To let someone use or have part of something that you have. |
| Example | She received a commission to create a new sculpture for the city park. | I will share my toys with my friends. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | verb |
| 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 | fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared, fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared, fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared |
| Antonyms | bonus, salary, wage | hoard, keep, withhold |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'commission' with 'commision' (incorrect spelling), Using 'commission' as a verb incorrectly, should be 'to commission something', Mixing up 'commission' with 'committee' | Using 'share' without an object (e.g., saying 'I will share' instead of 'I will share my lunch'), Confusing 'share' with 'sharpen', Incorrectly using 'share' as a noun rather than a verb (e.g., saying 'the share of the book' instead of 'the sharing of the book') |
| Usage notes | Used in business contexts; often refers to payments based on sales. Not typically used in casual conversation. | Use 'share' when talking about dividing resources or experiences. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid in very formal contexts where more specific terms may be required. |
Frequently asked questions: Commission vs Share
What's the difference between Commission and Share?
Commission: A fee paid to someone for doing a job or sale. Share: To let someone use or have part of something that you have.
Which is more common: Commission and Share?
Share is the most common in everyday English.
Are Commission and Share the same CEFR level?
Commission: B2, Share: A1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Commission and Share interchangeably?
Not always. Commission and Share 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.