Cool MateDocument vs Record
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Document
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Record
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
| Document | Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈdɒkjʊment//🇺🇸 //ˈdɑːkjəmɛnt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈrekɔːd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈrekərd/"]/ |
| Meaning | A paper or digital file that has information. | To write down or save information. |
| Example | Please submit the document by Friday. | I bought a new record of my favorite artist yesterday. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | legal document, official document, user document, document file | formal, official, public, keep, maintain, compile, contain something, include something, indicate something, in the record, in the records, off the record, access to the records, have a record of something, have no record of something, club, course, national, hold, establish, set, stand, fall, book, attempt, breaker, record for, record with, in record time, past, track, distinguished, have, possess, establish, demonstrate something, show something, compare with something, record among, record for, record in, long-playing, LP, gramophone, write, cut, make, company, industry, label, long-playing, LP, gramophone, write, cut, make, company, industry, label |
| Antonyms | delete, erase | erase, delete |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'documentary', which refers to a film., Using 'document' in the plural without context, like 'many documents'., Confusing the noun and verb forms of 'document'. | Confused with 'recorded' when discussing past actions., Using 'record' incorrectly as a noun instead of a verb., Mixing up 'record' with 'recall' which has a different meaning. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used for official papers. Not typically used in casual conversations. Can refer to written files or reports. | Use 'record' when talking about saving audio, video, or information. It's suitable in most contexts, but in casual speech, phrases like 'make a recording' may sound more natural. |
Frequently asked questions: Document vs Record
What's the difference between Document and Record?
Document: A paper or digital file that has information. Record: To write down or save information.
Are Document and Record the same CEFR level?
Document: A2, Record: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Document and Record?
Document: noun, Record: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Document: Please submit the document by Friday. Record: I bought a new record of my favorite artist yesterday.
Can I use Document and Record interchangeably?
Not always. Document and Record 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.