Cool MateCompany vs Guests
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Company
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Guests
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Company | Guests | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkʌmpəni/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkʌmpəni/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɡɛsts//🇺🇸 //ɡɛsts// |
| Meaning | A group of people who work together to make or sell something. | People who visit someone or stay at a place. |
| Example | I work at a software company that develops applications. | The guests arrived early to the wedding reception. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | big, large, leading, group, create, establish, form, make something, manufacture something, produce something, director, executive, owner, in a/the company, within a/the company, a director of a company, large, small, touring, good, pleasant, poor, have, keep somebody, need, for company, in somebody’s company, have the pleasure of somebody’s company, request the pleasure of somebody’s company, like your own company, expect, have, mixed, assembled, keep, in company, get into bad company, keep bad company, present company excepted | welcome guests, invite guests, entertain guests, host guests, serve guests |
| Antonyms | individual, self | hosts, residents |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'companion' — remember, a company is usually a business., Using 'company' in the singular form when referring to multiple businesses., Mixed up with 'firm' — 'firm' can be more specific to certain types of companies. | Using 'guest' for multiple people instead of 'guests'., Confusing with 'invitees' which may not always attend., Omitting the 's' for plural in casual speech. |
| Usage notes | Use 'company' in both formal and informal contexts when referring to businesses. Avoid in casual phrases unrelated to business, like 'keeping company' (which means spending time with someone). | Use 'guests' in contexts related to visitors, accommodations, and hospitality. Avoid in formal writing when discussing attendees in a professional context. |
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Frequently asked questions: Company vs Guests
What's the difference between Company and Guests?
Company: A group of people who work together to make or sell something. Guests: People who visit someone or stay at a place.
Can you show an example of each?
Company: I work at a software company that develops applications. Guests: The guests arrived early to the wedding reception.
Can I use Company and Guests interchangeably?
Not always. Company and Guests 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.