Cool MateMend vs Patch
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Mend
Top 2,000 (common)
Patch
Top 1,000 (very common)C1noun
Most common: Patch
| Mend | Patch | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //mɛnd//🇺🇸 //mɛnd// | 🇬🇧 /["/pætʃ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pætʃ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To fix something that is broken. | A piece of material used to cover or repair something. |
| Example | She will mend the tear in her dress. | She sewed a colorful patch on the hole in his jeans. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | mend a relationship, mend a tear, mend a fence, mend broken hearts, mend clothes | irregular, clear, coloured/colored, in patches, patch of, patch on, a patch of colour/color, have, sew on/onto, patch on, sport, wear, sew on, patch on, isolated, grassy, bare, patch of, bad, difficult, rocky, go through, have, hit, patch of, security, apply, deploy, download |
| Antonyms | break, damage, ruin | whole, unbroken |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'amend', which means to improve text or legislation., Using 'mend' without an object, e.g., saying 'I mend.' instead of 'I mend clothes.', Incorrectly assuming 'mend' only applies to physical objects. | Confused with 'match' in spelling., Using 'patches' incorrectly as a uncountable noun., Mistakenly thinking 'patch' only refers to clothing. |
| Usage notes | Used in everyday conversation; appropriate for casual and formal contexts. Avoid using with very technical objects. | Used in various contexts, such as sewing, software updates, or fixing problems. Avoid using in formal writing unless referring to specific technical contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Mend vs Patch
What's the difference between Mend and Patch?
Mend: To fix something that is broken. Patch: A piece of material used to cover or repair something.
Which is more common: Mend and Patch?
Patch is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Mend: She will mend the tear in her dress. Patch: She sewed a colorful patch on the hole in his jeans.
Can I use Mend and Patch interchangeably?
Not always. Mend and Patch 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.