Cool MateDrain vs Pouring
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Drain
Top 1,000 (very common)C1verb
Pouring
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Drain
| Drain | Pouring | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dreɪn/","/dreɪnz/","/dreɪnd/","/ˈdreɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dreɪn/","/dreɪnz/","/dreɪnd/","/ˈdreɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɔːrɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈpɔrɪŋ// |
| Meaning | To remove liquid or to take away energy. | To make a liquid flow from one container to another. |
| Example | Please drain the pasta before serving it. | She was pouring coffee into the cups. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | thoroughly, well, poorly, out of, thoroughly, well, poorly, out of, completely, totally, utterly, of, out of, be drained, feel drained | pouring rain, pouring tea, pouring oil |
| Antonyms | fill, flow | collect, gather |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'rain' when spoken., Using as a noun without clarification, e.g. 'the drain' without context., Mixing up with 'drain away' which emphasizes gradual removal. | Confusing with 'pour' and 'pore' (body part), Using 'pour' without an object, Incorrectly spelling as 'poreing' |
| Usage notes | Use 'drain' when talking about removing liquid from something, like a sink. It's also used metaphorically to express exhaustion or loss of energy. Avoid in highly formal contexts. | Use 'pouring' when describing how liquids are transferred. In informal contexts, it can describe excessive rainfall. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Drain vs Pouring
What's the difference between Drain and Pouring?
Drain: To remove liquid or to take away energy. Pouring: To make a liquid flow from one container to another.
Which is more common: Drain and Pouring?
Drain is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Drain: Please drain the pasta before serving it. Pouring: She was pouring coffee into the cups.
Can I use Drain and Pouring interchangeably?
Not always. Drain and Pouring 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.