Cool MateExhibition vs Show
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Exhibition
Top 3,000 (common)B1noun
Show
High-frequency chunkA1verb
Most common: Show
| Exhibition | Show | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌeksɪˈbɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌeksɪˈbɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃəʊ/","/ʃəʊz/","/ʃəʊd/","/ʃəʊn/","/ˈʃəʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃəʊ/","/ʃəʊz/","/ʃəʊd/","/ʃəʊn/","/ˈʃəʊɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | A public show where things like art or products are displayed. | to let someone see something |
| Example | The art exhibition showcased several contemporary artists. | Can you show me how to solve this math problem? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | High-frequency chunk |
| CEFR level | B1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | verb |
| Collocations | big, large, small, have, hold, host, open, close, end, area, centre/center, floor, on exhibition, exhibition of, exhibition on | clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, hardly, begin to, let something, hardly, begin to, let something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something |
| Antonyms | concealment, secret | hide, conceal, cover |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'exhibition' with 'exhibit' when they have different grammatical uses., Using 'exhibition' in non-public contexts where 'show' or 'display' might be more suitable., Omitting necessary articles (e.g., 'the exhibition') before 'exhibition'. | Confused with 'exhibit' in formal contexts, Using incorrectly as a noun instead of a verb, Confusing the past tense 'showed' with 'shown' |
| Usage notes | Use 'exhibition' in contexts related to art, trade shows, or public displays. It's appropriate in both casual and formal discussions, but avoid in everyday conversation when simpler words can suffice. | Use 'show' when presenting something to someone. Avoid in very formal contexts; instead, use 'demonstrate'. Common in everyday conversation. |
Frequently asked questions: Exhibition vs Show
What's the difference between Exhibition and Show?
Exhibition: A public show where things like art or products are displayed. Show: to let someone see something
Which is more common: Exhibition and Show?
Show is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Exhibition and Show?
Exhibition is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Exhibition and Show the same CEFR level?
Exhibition: B1, Show: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Exhibition and Show?
Exhibition: noun, Show: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Exhibition: The art exhibition showcased several contemporary artists. Show: Can you show me how to solve this math problem?
Can I use Exhibition and Show interchangeably?
Not always. Exhibition and Show 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.