Cool MateConcession vs Plea bargain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Concession
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)C1noun
Plea bargain
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Concession
| Concession | Plea bargain | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈseʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈseʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈpliː ˈbɑːɡən//🇺🇸 //ˈpliː ˈbɑrɡɪn// |
| Meaning | An agreement to allow something in order to reach a compromise. | An agreement where a person pleads guilty to a crime for a lighter punishment. |
| Example | The government made a concession to the workers' demands in order to avoid a strike. | The lawyer advised her to accept the plea bargain to avoid a lengthy trial. |
| Register | Formal | Formal |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | important, key, major, grant (somebody/something), make, offer (somebody/something), concession on, concession to, make no concessions to somebody/something, important, key, major, grant (somebody/something), make, offer (somebody/something), concession on, concession to, make no concessions to somebody/something, tax, travel, be available to, trade, logging, oil, grant (somebody/something), obtain, secure, trade, logging, oil, grant (somebody/something), obtain, secure | accept a plea bargain, negotiate a plea bargain, reach a plea bargain, offer a plea bargain, reject a plea bargain |
| Antonyms | refusal, denial | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'confession' which has a different meaning., Using 'concession' in informal conversations where simpler terms might fit better., Mispronouncing it as 'con-cession' instead of 'con-cess-ion'. | Confused with 'plead guilty' which is only part of the plea bargain process., Using in non-legal contexts, as it is specific to criminal justice., Mixing up with 'plea deal', which is a less formal variant. |
| Usage notes | Typically used in formal contexts such as negotiations, debates, or discussions. It may sound out of place in casual conversations. | Commonly used in legal contexts. Avoid in casual conversation unless discussing legal matters. Not appropriate for informal settings. |
Frequently asked questions: Concession vs Plea bargain
What's the difference between Concession and Plea bargain?
Concession: An agreement to allow something in order to reach a compromise. Plea bargain: An agreement where a person pleads guilty to a crime for a lighter punishment.
Which is more common: Concession and Plea bargain?
Concession is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Concession: The government made a concession to the workers' demands in order to avoid a strike. Plea bargain: The lawyer advised her to accept the plea bargain to avoid a lengthy trial.
Can I use Concession and Plea bargain interchangeably?
Not always. Concession and Plea bargain 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.