Cool MateExistence vs Reality
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Existence
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Reality
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Most common: Reality
| Existence | Reality | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzɪstəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzɪstəns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/riˈæləti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/riˈæləti/"]/ |
| Meaning | The state of being real or living. | What is true or real. |
| Example | The existence of parallel universes is a fascinating concept in physics. | The reality of the situation is more complicated than we thought. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | actual, real, possible, be in, have, come into, depend on something, depend upon something, in existence, the struggle for existence, bare, hand-to-mouth, meagre/meager, enjoy, have, lead, a mode of existence | sad, sobering, unfortunate, become, make something, accept, check, television, TV, in reality, reality of, a grasp of reality, a grasp on reality, a perception of reality, sad, sobering, unfortunate, become, make something, accept, check, television, TV, in reality, reality of, a grasp of reality, a grasp on reality, a perception of reality |
| Antonyms | nonexistence, nothingness | fantasy, illusion |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'existent', which is a different form., Using 'existence' in place of 'presence', which has a different meaning., Mispronouncing it, often omitting the 'x' sound. | Confused with 'realty', which refers to real estate., Using 'reality' incorrectly in plural form., Mixing up 'reality' with 'actuality'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'existence' in both formal and informal discussions about reality. Avoid in casual conversations where simpler terms like 'life' suffice. | Commonly used in discussions about life, experiences, or perceptions. Avoid in overly formal contexts; more suitable for everyday conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Existence vs Reality
What's the difference between Existence and Reality?
Existence: The state of being real or living. Reality: What is true or real.
Which is more common: Existence and Reality?
Reality is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Existence and Reality?
Existence is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Existence and Reality the same CEFR level?
Existence: B2, Reality: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Existence and Reality?
Existence: noun, Reality: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Existence: The existence of parallel universes is a fascinating concept in physics. Reality: The reality of the situation is more complicated than we thought.
Can I use Existence and Reality interchangeably?
Not always. Existence and Reality 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.