Cool MateMouths vs Opening
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Mouths
Top 2,000 (common)
Opening
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Most common: Opening
| Mouths | Opening | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //maʊθs//🇺🇸 //maʊθs// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈəʊpənɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈəʊpənɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | The openings on a face used for eating and speaking. | The act of starting something, like a door or a conversation. |
| Example | The children laughed and opened their mouths wide in surprise. | The opening of the new library was attended by the mayor. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | open mouths, full mouths, talking mouths, silent mouths, wide mouths | large, wide, narrow, cut, create, make, opening in, opening to, successful, chess, opening to, grand, formal, official, attend, celebrate, mark, ceremony, new, possible, clear, create, provide, give somebody, opening for, opening in, new, possible, clear, create, provide, give somebody, opening for, opening in |
| Antonyms | - | closing, ending |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'mouth' when referring to a single unit., Misused in phrases where a singular version should be applied., Incorrect pluralization when not needing plurality. | Confusing 'opening' with 'opener' which is a tool or person that opens., Using 'opening' without an object, e.g., saying 'the opening' instead of 'the opening of the door'., Misusing tense; not matching 'opening' with the correct verb form. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts to describe the part of the body. Avoid using in overly technical discussions unless defining anatomy. | Use 'opening' in contexts like starting an event, conversation, or presenting a door. It's neutral and can be used in formal or informal settings. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Mouths vs Opening
What's the difference between Mouths and Opening?
Mouths: The openings on a face used for eating and speaking. Opening: The act of starting something, like a door or a conversation.
Which is more common: Mouths and Opening?
Opening is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Mouths: The children laughed and opened their mouths wide in surprise. Opening: The opening of the new library was attended by the mayor.
Can I use Mouths and Opening interchangeably?
Not always. Mouths and Opening 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.