Cool MateCourage is the best defence vs Determination vs Strength
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Courage is the best defence
Top 3,000 (common)
Determination
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Strength
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Most common: Strength
| Courage is the best defence | Determination | Strength | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈkʌrɪdʒ ɪz ðə bɛst dɪˈfɛns//🇺🇸 //ˈkɜrdʒ ɪz ðə bɛst dɪˈfɛns// | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˌtɜːmɪˈneɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˌtɜːrmɪˈneɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/streŋkθ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/streŋkθ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Courage helps protect you in difficult situations. | The quality of being determined to do something. | The ability to be strong or powerful. |
| Example | Courage is the best defence against the fears that hold us back. | Her determination to succeed helped her overcome all obstacles. | Her strength helped her lift the heavy box with ease. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | |
| Collocations | show courage, face challenges, best defence, require courage, act with courage | dogged, fierce, great, be full of, have, demonstrate, with determination, determination to succeed, win, etc., age, sex, accurate | considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength, great, real, individual, capitalize on, exploit, play to, come from something, lie in something, strengths and weaknesses, considerable, enormous, great, have, possess, lack, grow, increase, decline, up to strength, below strength, under strength, at full strength, back to full strength, every ounce of strength |
| Antonyms | - | indecision, weakness, hesitation | weakness, frailty |
| Common mistakes | Mixing up 'defence' with 'defense' in US English., Forgetting to capitalize 'Courage' when starting sentences., Translating directly into other languages without considering context. | Confusing with 'determined' which describes someone with determination., Using in contexts that require more specific terms like 'resolve' or 'tenacity'. | Confused with 'strong', which is an adjective., Using 'strengths' when referring to good qualities or skills, but should specify context., May forget to use in plural form where applicable (e.g., 'strengths' for multiple qualities). |
| Usage notes | This phrase is often used to suggest that being brave is essential in facing challenges. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts but more common in motivational settings. | Use 'determination' in both formal and casual contexts to describe strong will or persistence. It's less common in very informal conversations. | Used when talking about physical power, mental resilience, or overall capacity. In formal contexts, it might refer to both human and material strength. Avoid using in very casual conversations where simpler words like 'power' may suffice. |
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Frequently asked questions: Courage is the best defence vs Determination vs Strength
What's the difference between Courage is the best defence, Determination, and Strength?
Courage is the best defence: Courage helps protect you in difficult situations. Determination: The quality of being determined to do something. Strength: The ability to be strong or powerful.
Which is more common: Courage is the best defence, Determination, and Strength?
Strength is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Courage is the best defence, Determination, and Strength?
Determination is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Courage is the best defence: Courage is the best defence against the fears that hold us back. Determination: Her determination to succeed helped her overcome all obstacles. Strength: Her strength helped her lift the heavy box with ease.
Can I use Courage is the best defence, Determination, and Strength interchangeably?
Not always. Courage is the best defence, Determination, and Strength 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.