Cool MateFill vs Supply
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fill
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Supply
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
| Fill | Supply | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/fɪl/","/fɪlz/","/fɪld/","/ˈfɪlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fɪl/","/fɪlz/","/fɪld/","/ˈfɪlɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈplaɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈplaɪ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make something full by putting something inside it. | to give or provide something that is needed |
| Example | Please fill the glass with water. | The company is struggling to meet the demand for their product due to a shortage in supply. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Collocations | fast, quickly, rapidly, begin to, seem to, with, be filled to capacity, be filled to the brim (with something) | total, available, endless, have, get, lay in, increase, fall, exceed demand, chain, line, network, supply of, supply to, be in short supply, demand and supply, supply and demand, abundant, plentiful, limited, bring, bring in, lay in, hold out, last, be depleted, supply of |
| Antonyms | empty, drain, remove | demand, deprivation |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'fill' with 'fulfill' in contexts of completion., Using 'filled' instead of 'fill' in present tense statements., Mixing up the order of words, like saying 'to fill it with water' instead of 'fill it with water'. | Confusing with 'supplement' when more than just providing is meant, Using as a noun instead of a verb, e.g., 'to supply' vs 'the supply', Incorrectly conjugating the verb in different tenses |
| Usage notes | Use 'fill' when talking about putting substance into an empty space. It's common in both casual and formal contexts. Avoid using for emotional or abstract concepts, as it can lead to confusion. | Use 'supply' when referring to providing goods or resources. It is neutral and can be used in business, education, and everyday contexts. Avoid using it in very casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Fill vs Supply
What's the difference between Fill and Supply?
Fill: To make something full by putting something inside it. Supply: to give or provide something that is needed
Are Fill and Supply the same CEFR level?
Fill: A1, Supply: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Fill and Supply interchangeably?
Not always. Fill and Supply 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.