Cool MateCondemn vs Damn
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Condemn
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1verb
Damn
VulgarTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: CondemnMost common: Damn
| Condemn | Damn | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈdem/","/kənˈdemz/","/kənˈdemd/","/kənˈdemɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈdem/","/kənˈdemz/","/kənˈdemd/","/kənˈdemɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //dæm//🇺🇸 //dæm// |
| Meaning | to say that something is wrong or bad | An expression of frustration or anger. |
| Example | The court decided to condemn the defendant to ten years in prison. | They really missed the deadline, damn it! |
| Register | Formal | Vulgar |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | roundly, strongly, vehemently, for, be widely condemned | damn it, damn shame, damn thing, you damn right, a damn good time |
| Antonyms | praise, commend, endorse | bless, praise, exalt |
| Common mistakes | 'Condemn' is sometimes confused with 'commend', which means to praise., Learners might use 'condemn' with the wrong preposition, like saying 'condemn for' instead of 'condemn to'., Some may struggle with the spelling, often misspelling as 'condem'. | Used too casually in formal conversations., Misplaced emphasis can change the intended emotion., Used as an adjective when it should be an exclamation. |
| Usage notes | Used when expressing strong disapproval of actions, behaviors, or decisions. Appropriate in legal or moral contexts, but might seem too strong in casual conversations. | Used to express annoyance, surprise, or disappointment. Can be informal and offensive, depending on context. Avoid in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Condemn vs Damn
What's the difference between Condemn and Damn?
Condemn: to say that something is wrong or bad Damn: An expression of frustration or anger.
Which is more formal: Condemn and Damn?
Condemn is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Condemn and Damn?
Damn is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Condemn: The court decided to condemn the defendant to ten years in prison. Damn: They really missed the deadline, damn it!
Can I use Condemn and Damn interchangeably?
Not always. Condemn and Damn 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.