Cool MateMalice vs This evil cannot be concealed
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Malice
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
This evil cannot be concealed
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Malice
| Malice | This evil cannot be concealed | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈmæ.lɪs//🇺🇸 //ˈmæl.ɪs// | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs ˈiːvəl ˈkænɒt bi kənˈsiːld//🇺🇸 //ðɪs ˈivəl ˈkænɑt bi kənˈsild// |
| Meaning | The intention to harm someone or cause trouble. | This bad thing cannot be hidden. |
| Example | He acted with malice, intending to ruin her reputation. | This evil cannot be concealed even in the most elaborate lies. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | with malice aforethought, malice towards others, malice in one's heart | cannot be hidden, evil deeds, concealed truth, dark actions, hidden malevolence |
| Antonyms | benevolence, kindness, goodwill | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'malicious', which is the adjective form., Using 'malice' in informal contexts where it seems too serious., Mixing 'malice' with 'spite', which have different connotations. | Confusing 'concealed' (hidden) with 'revealed' (shown)., Using 'cannot' incorrectly as 'can not' in formal writing., Misinterpreting the meaning of 'evil' as a general bad rather than moral wrongdoing. |
| Usage notes | Primarily used in legal contexts or serious discussions. Not commonly used in casual conversation. | Use in contexts discussing morality or wrongdoing. Can be seen as dramatic or poetic. |
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Frequently asked questions: Malice vs This evil cannot be concealed
What's the difference between Malice and This evil cannot be concealed?
Malice: The intention to harm someone or cause trouble. This evil cannot be concealed: This bad thing cannot be hidden.
Which is more formal: Malice and This evil cannot be concealed?
Malice is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Malice: He acted with malice, intending to ruin her reputation. This evil cannot be concealed: This evil cannot be concealed even in the most elaborate lies.
Can I use Malice and This evil cannot be concealed interchangeably?
Not always. Malice and This evil cannot be concealed 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.