Cool MateDiscriminate vs Distinguish
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Discriminate
Distinguish
| Discriminate | Distinguish | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪsˈkrɪmɪneɪt//🇺🇸 //dɪsˈkrɪməˌneɪt// | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/","/dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪz/","/dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/","/dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/","/dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪz/","/dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃt/","/dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To treat one person or group unfairly because of differences. | to tell the difference between things |
| Example | It is illegal to discriminate against employees based on gender. | It can be difficult to distinguish between fact and opinion in a debate. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | discriminate against, discriminate based on, discriminate between | clearly, sharply, carefully, be able to, can, could, between, from, have difficulty distinguishing, have difficulty in distinguishing, have trouble distinguishing, clearly, sharply, carefully, be able to, can, could, between, from, have difficulty distinguishing, have difficulty in distinguishing, have trouble distinguishing |
| Antonyms | integrate, unite | confuse, mistake, blurr |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'discriminative', which means different things., Using 'discriminate' without 'against' when referring to groups., Misunderstanding it as a synonym for 'differentiate'. | Using 'distinguish' without an object, e.g., saying 'I can distinguish.' instead of 'I can distinguish blue from green.', Confusing 'distinguish' with 'differentiate'; they are similar but have specific usages., Incorrectly using 'distinguish' with only one item, e.g., saying 'I can distinguish this.' without a reference point. |
| Usage notes | Used in contexts related to fairness, equality, and social issues. Avoid in casual conversations. | Use 'distinguish' in contexts where you are comparing two or more things that have different characteristics. It's more formal than 'tell apart'. Avoid in casual conversations unless necessary. |
Frequently asked questions: Discriminate vs Distinguish
What's the difference between Discriminate and Distinguish?
Discriminate: To treat one person or group unfairly because of differences. Distinguish: to tell the difference between things
Which is more formal: Discriminate and Distinguish?
Discriminate is the most formal of these.
Which is more advanced: Discriminate and Distinguish?
Distinguish is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Discriminate and Distinguish the same CEFR level?
Discriminate: B1, Distinguish: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Discriminate: It is illegal to discriminate against employees based on gender. Distinguish: It can be difficult to distinguish between fact and opinion in a debate.
Can I use Discriminate and Distinguish interchangeably?
Not always. Discriminate and Distinguish 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.