Cool MateExcel vs Prosper vs Shine vs Succeed vs Thrive
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Excel
Prosper
Shine
Succeed
Thrive
| Excel | Prosper | Shine | Succeed | Thrive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪkˈsɛl//🇺🇸 //ɪkˈsɛl// | 🇬🇧 //ˈprɒspə//🇺🇸 //ˈprɑːspər// | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃaɪn/","/ʃaɪnd/","/ʃaɪnz/","/ʃɒn/","/ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃaɪn/","/ʃaɪnd/","/ʃaɪnz/","/ʃəʊn/","/ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/səkˈsiːd/","/səkˈsiːdz/","/səkˈsiːdɪd/","/səkˈsiːdɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səkˈsiːd/","/səkˈsiːdz/","/səkˈsiːdɪd/","/səkˈsiːdɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/θraɪv/","/θraɪvz/","/θraɪvd/","/ˈθraɪvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/θraɪv/","/θraɪvz/","/θraɪvd/","/ˈθraɪvɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To do very well in something. | To be successful and make a lot of money. | to give off light or to be bright | to do well or to reach a goal | To grow strong and be successful. |
| Example | She really excels in mathematics. | Their business began to prosper after they revamped their marketing strategy. | The sun will shine brightly tomorrow, bringing warmth to everyone. | If you work hard, you will succeed in your goals. | New businesses thrive in this area. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 | B1 | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | verb | verb |
| Collocations | excel in sports, excel at studies, excel in academics | prosper in business, prosper financially, prosper together | brightly, brilliantly, faintly, seem to, make something, at, from, in, brightly, brilliantly, faintly, seem to, make something, at, from, in | admirably, beautifully, brilliantly, be likely to, be unlikely to, be determined to, against, at, in, admirably, beautifully, brilliantly, be likely to, be unlikely to, be determined to, against, at, in, appoint somebody to, elect somebody to, be tipped to, as, to, appoint somebody to, elect somebody to, be tipped to, as, to | positively, still, seem to, continue to, fail to, on, failure to thrive |
| Antonyms | fail, struggle, flounder | fail, struggle, decline | dull, darken, fade | fail, stop, flop | fail, decline, wither |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'exceed' when referring to surpassing a limit., Using 'excel' without specifying the area of excellence., Incorrectly conjugating the verb 'excel', e.g., saying 'excelled in' instead of 'excels in'. | Confused with 'prospective' which relates to future possibilities., Mistakenly used as an adjective instead of a verb. | Confusing 'shine' with 'shone' in past tense, 'Shine' can be used transitively; learners often forget to include an object, Using 'shine' in an incorrect form, e.g., 'shining' instead of 'shine' in certain sentences | Confused with 'succeed in' vs 'succeed at', Using 'succeed' without an object or context, Incorrectly conjugating with 'succeeded' in future tense | Confusing with 'survive' - thrive means to do well, while survive means to just get by., Using it in a negative sentence - thrive is generally positive, so it's rare to say 'does not thrive.', Confusing the prepositions - remember to use 'on', 'in', or 'through' correctly. |
| Usage notes | Use 'excel' when someone performs exceptionally well in a task or skill. It is appropriate in both academic and professional contexts. | Used in both formal and informal contexts, often related to business or personal success. | Use 'shine' in contexts where something reflects light or is bright. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid using in overly formal contexts, as alternatives like 'illuminate' may be more suitable. | Use 'succeed' in general situations where someone achieves their aims. More common in neutral contexts than in formal discussions. Avoid using in overly casual settings. | This word is suitable in both casual and professional contexts. Use it to describe personal growth or the success of businesses and plants. Avoid using it in overly negative contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Excel vs Prosper vs Shine vs Succeed vs Thrive
What's the difference between Excel, Prosper, Shine, Succeed, and Thrive?
Excel: To do very well in something. Prosper: To be successful and make a lot of money. Shine: to give off light or to be bright Succeed: to do well or to reach a goal Thrive: To grow strong and be successful.
Which is more advanced: Excel, Prosper, Shine, Succeed, and Thrive?
Thrive is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Excel, Prosper, Shine, Succeed, and Thrive the same CEFR level?
Excel: B2, Prosper: B1, Shine: B1, Succeed: A2, Thrive: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Excel, Prosper, Shine, Succeed, and Thrive?
Excel: verb, Prosper: verb, Shine: verb, Succeed: verb, Thrive: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Excel: She really excels in mathematics. Prosper: Their business began to prosper after they revamped their marketing strategy. Shine: The sun will shine brightly tomorrow, bringing warmth to everyone. Succeed: If you work hard, you will succeed in your goals. Thrive: New businesses thrive in this area.
Can I use Excel, Prosper, Shine, Succeed, and Thrive interchangeably?
Not always. Excel, Prosper, Shine, Succeed, and Thrive 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.