Opponent vs That system is our enemy

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

Opponent

Top 2,000 (common)B2noun

That system is our enemy

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Opponent
 OpponentThat system is our enemy
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //əˈpəʊ.nənt//🇺🇸 //əˈpoʊ.nənt//🇬🇧 //ðæt ˈsɪstəm ɪz ˈaʊər ˈɛnəmi//🇺🇸 //ðæt ˈsɪstəm ɪz ˈaʊər ˈɛnəmi//
MeaningA person you compete against in a game or contest.A system that opposes or fights against us.
ExampleShe trained hard to defeat her main opponent in the championship.That system is our enemy and we must find a way to defeat it.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsdefeat an opponent, know your opponent, face an opponentidentify an enemy, target an enemy, defeat an enemy, face an enemy, become an enemy
Antonymsally, teammate-
Common mistakesConfusing with 'partner' - an opponent is someone you compete against, not a teammate., Using in singular form incorrectly for team competitions - remember 'opponents' for multiple opponents., Not using the article - always use 'an opponent' or 'the opponent'.Confusing 'enemy' with 'friend'., 'That' should not be replaced with 'this' in certain contexts.
Usage notesUsed in both formal and informal contexts. Commonly used in sports and debates. Not appropriate in casual conversations unless discussing competitions.Use this phrase in discussions about conflict, opposition, or competition. It fits both formal and informal contexts.

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Opponent
That system is our enemy

Frequently asked questions: Opponent vs That system is our enemy

What's the difference between Opponent and That system is our enemy?

Opponent: A person you compete against in a game or contest. That system is our enemy: A system that opposes or fights against us.

Which is more common: Opponent and That system is our enemy?

Opponent is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Opponent: She trained hard to defeat her main opponent in the championship. That system is our enemy: That system is our enemy and we must find a way to defeat it.

Can I use Opponent and That system is our enemy interchangeably?

Not always. Opponent and That system is our enemy 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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