Cool MateContradict vs To deny our own impulses
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Contradict
Top 2,000 (common)B1
To deny our own impulses
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Contradict
| Contradict | To deny our own impulses | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkt//🇺🇸 //ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪkt// | 🇬🇧 //tə dɪˈnaɪ aʊər əʊn ˈɪmpʌlsɪz//🇺🇸 //tə dɪˈnaɪ aʊər oʊn ˈɪmpʌlsɪz// |
| Meaning | To say something that opposes or disagrees with another statement | To say we do not feel or want something inside us. |
| Example | She always tends to **contradict** herself during discussions. | Many of us choose to deny our own impulses for fear of judgment. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Collocations | often contradict, directly contradict, clearly contradict | deny feelings, deny desires, deny instincts, deny oneself, deny the truth |
| Antonyms | agree, confirm, support | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Contradict' is often confused with 'confirm'., Learners sometimes forget to use it with an object., Misusing it in informal contexts where softer language would be better. | Confusing 'deny' with 'refuse'. 'Deny' is about feelings, while 'refuse' is about actions., Using 'denied' incorrectly in past tense without a clear subject., Misunderstanding the phrase as just denying something external instead of internal impulses. |
| Usage notes | Use in discussions or arguments. Avoid in formal writing if possible, as it may imply confrontation. | Use in both formal and informal contexts. Common in discussions about feelings and self-control. Avoid in casual settings when discussing light emotions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Contradict vs To deny our own impulses
What's the difference between Contradict and To deny our own impulses?
Contradict: To say something that opposes or disagrees with another statement To deny our own impulses: To say we do not feel or want something inside us.
Which is more common: Contradict and To deny our own impulses?
Contradict is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Contradict: She always tends to **contradict** herself during discussions. To deny our own impulses: Many of us choose to deny our own impulses for fear of judgment.
Can I use Contradict and To deny our own impulses interchangeably?
Not always. Contradict and To deny our own impulses 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.