I'd make a good husband vs Spouse

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

I'd make a good husband

Top 5,000 (fairly common)

Spouse

Top 3,000 (common)C1noun
Most common: Spouse
 I'd make a good husbandSpouse
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //aɪd meɪk ə ɡʊd ˈhʌzbənd//🇺🇸 //aɪd meɪk ə ɡʊd ˈhʌzbənd//🇬🇧 //spaʊs//🇺🇸 //spaʊs//
MeaningI would be a good partner in marriage.A person's husband or wife.
ExampleWhen I look at how I treat my friends, I think I'd make a good husband.She introduced her spouse to her friends at the party.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 5,000 (fairly common)Top 3,000 (common)
CEFR level-C1
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsbe a good husband, make a good partner, supportive husband, loving husband, responsible partnerlife partner, marital spouse, spousal support
Antonyms-stranger, enemy, single
Common mistakesSaying 'I will make a good husband' instead of 'I'd make'., Confusing 'husband' with 'wife' when discussing gender., Overusing the phrase in inappropriate contexts.Using 'spouse' for a partner in a non-marital relationship., Confusing 'spouse' with 'partner,' which can refer to various types of relationships., Not using it in an appropriate formal context.
Usage notesUse in casual or serious conversations when discussing relationships. It's a confident statement about one's qualities as a partner. Avoid in overly formal contexts.Used to refer to a partner in marriage. More common in formal contexts; in casual settings, 'husband' or 'wife' is often used instead.

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I'd make a good husband

Frequently asked questions: I'd make a good husband vs Spouse

What's the difference between I'd make a good husband and Spouse?

I'd make a good husband: I would be a good partner in marriage. Spouse: A person's husband or wife.

Which is more common: I'd make a good husband and Spouse?

Spouse is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

I'd make a good husband: When I look at how I treat my friends, I think I'd make a good husband. Spouse: She introduced her spouse to her friends at the party.

Can I use I'd make a good husband and Spouse interchangeably?

Not always. I'd make a good husband and Spouse 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.

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