Cool MateIntensify vs To accentuate it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Intensify
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
To accentuate it
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Intensify
| Intensify | To accentuate it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪ/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪz/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪd/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪ/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪz/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪd/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əkˈsɛnʧueɪt//🇺🇸 //ækˈsɛnʧueɪt// |
| Meaning | To make something stronger or more extreme. | To make something more noticeable or stronger. |
| Example | Violence intensified during the night. | The lighting was designed to accentuate it beautifully. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | greatly, dramatically, rapidly, seem to, tend to, be likely to | accentuate differences, accentuate features, accentuate qualities, accentuate colors, accentuate design |
| Antonyms | diminish, reduce, weaken | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'intensify' incorrectly with inanimate objects, like 'intensify the chair.', Confusing 'intensify' with 'intensification', which is a different form., Using 'intensify' in past tense incorrectly, such as 'intensified' without context. | Confused with 'accent' - remember 'accentuate' is a verb., Omitting the object - always needs something to emphasize., Using inappropriately in casual conversations. |
| Usage notes | Use 'intensify' when describing emotions, situations, or actions that become stronger. It fits in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in very casual conversations. | Use 'accentuate' in formal contexts, especially in writing or presentations. Avoid informal speech and casual settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Intensify vs To accentuate it
What's the difference between Intensify and To accentuate it?
Intensify: To make something stronger or more extreme. To accentuate it: To make something more noticeable or stronger.
Which is more common: Intensify and To accentuate it?
Intensify is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Intensify: Violence intensified during the night. To accentuate it: The lighting was designed to accentuate it beautifully.
Can I use Intensify and To accentuate it interchangeably?
Not always. Intensify and To accentuate it 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.