Cool MateEnergy vs Power vs Strength
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Energy
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Power
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Strength
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
| Energy | Power | Strength | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈenədʒi/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈenərdʒi/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpaʊə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpaʊər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/streŋkθ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/streŋkθ/"]/ |
| Meaning | The ability to do work or cause change; a source of power. | The ability to do something or to control people or things. | The ability to be strong or powerful. |
| Example | I need a lot of energy to run a marathon. | The power of the wind can generate electricity. | Her strength helped her lift the heavy box with ease. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | noun |
| Collocations | boundless, endless, inexhaustible, amount, level, great deal, be bursting with, be full of, have, flag, dissipate, drain away, level, reserves, bar, energy and enthusiasm, an outlet for your energy, time or energy, alternative, clean, green, amount, generate, produce, harness, production, consumption, use, a demand for energy, a form of energy, a source of energy | absolute, ultimate, considerable, come to, rise to, assume, be concentrated in (the hands of somebody/something), flow from somebody/something, lie with somebody/something, struggle, relations, structure, in power, in somebody’s power, power of, abuse of power, the balance of power, a bid for power, absolute, ultimate, considerable, come to, rise to, assume, be concentrated in (the hands of somebody/something), flow from somebody/something, lie with somebody/something, struggle, relations, structure, in power, in somebody’s power, power of, abuse of power, the balance of power, a bid for power, full, reduced, electric, generate, produce, provide (somebody/something with), drive something, run something, go off, cable, grid, line, power for, a source of power, full, reduced, electric, generate, produce, provide (somebody/something with), drive something, run something, go off, cable, grid, line, power for, a source of power, awesome, great, real, awesome, great, real, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, absolute, ultimate, considerable, come to, rise to, assume, be concentrated in (the hands of somebody/something), flow from somebody/something, lie with somebody/something, struggle, relations, structure, in power, in somebody’s power, power of, abuse of power, the balance of power, a bid for power, great, major, world, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, absolute, ultimate, considerable, come to, rise to, assume, be concentrated in (the hands of somebody/something), flow from somebody/something, lie with somebody/something, struggle, relations, structure, in power, in somebody’s power, power of, abuse of power, the balance of power, a bid for power | 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 | lethargy, exhaustion, tiredness | weakness, ineffectiveness | weakness, frailty |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'energies' when talking about different types of power., Using 'energy' as an uncountable noun incorrectly in some contexts., Mistakenly using it to describe emotions instead of physical power. | 'Power' as a verb — learners often mistakenly use 'power' when they mean to say 'empower'., Confusing 'power' with 'might', as they have different nuances., Misusing 'power' in phrases, e.g., 'the power of' requires a specified noun. | 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 | Used in many contexts, including physics, health, and daily life. Generally appropriate in both casual and formal settings, but may be too technical in very informal conversations. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. In discussions about politics or leadership, 'power' often has a weighty connotation, while in casual settings it might refer to electricity or strength. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts when discussing serious topics. | 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. |
Frequently asked questions: Energy vs Power vs Strength
What's the difference between Energy, Power, and Strength?
Energy: The ability to do work or cause change; a source of power. Power: The ability to do something or to control people or things. Strength: The ability to be strong or powerful.
Which is more advanced: Energy, Power, and Strength?
Strength is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Energy, Power, and Strength the same CEFR level?
Energy: A2, Power: A2, Strength: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Energy, Power, and Strength?
Energy: noun, Power: noun, Strength: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Energy: I need a lot of energy to run a marathon. Power: The power of the wind can generate electricity. Strength: Her strength helped her lift the heavy box with ease.
Can I use Energy, Power, and Strength interchangeably?
Not always. Energy, Power, 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.