Cool MateCover vs Encompass
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Cover
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Encompass
Top 3,000 (common)C1verb
Most common: Cover
| Cover | Encompass | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkʌvə(r)/","/ˈkʌvəz/","/ˈkʌvəd/","/ˈkʌvərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkʌvər/","/ˈkʌvərz/","/ˈkʌvərd/","/ˈkʌvərɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkʌmpəs/","/ɪnˈkʌmpəsɪz/","/ɪnˈkʌmpəst/","/ɪnˈkʌmpəsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkʌmpəs/","/ɪnˈkʌmpəsɪz/","/ɪnˈkʌmpəst/","/ɪnˈkʌmpəsɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to put something over or on top of something else | To include or cover something completely. |
| Example | Please cover the pot so that the food doesn't get cold. | The job encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | completely, entirely, loosely, try to, use something to, with, completely, in, with, completely, in, with, barely, hardly, help (to), be intended to, be extended to, barely, hardly, help (to), be intended to, be extended to, against, for | encompass a range, encompass various elements, encompass ideas, encompass different cultures, encompass multiple factors |
| Antonyms | uncover, reveal | exclude, omit, leave out |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'discover' — forgetting that 'cover' means to place something over., Using as a noun without context — 'the cover' can be unclear without specifying what is covered., Wrong verb form — using 'covering' when the simple present 'covers' is needed. | Confusing with 'comprise' which has a slightly different meaning., Using 'encompass' with an incorrect subject (e.g., not using it with things that cannot be included). |
| Usage notes | Use 'cover' when talking about hiding or protecting something. It can be both physical (like a blanket) and metaphorical (like a topic). Avoid using in very formal writing. | Used when talking about including various elements or aspects. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts, and can fit in academic or professional discussions. |
Frequently asked questions: Cover vs Encompass
What's the difference between Cover and Encompass?
Cover: to put something over or on top of something else Encompass: To include or cover something completely.
Which is more common: Cover and Encompass?
Cover is the most common in everyday English.
Are Cover and Encompass the same CEFR level?
Cover: A2, Encompass: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Cover and Encompass interchangeably?
Not always. Cover and Encompass 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.