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
| Opponent | That system is our enemy | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əˈpəʊ.nənt//🇺🇸 //əˈpoʊ.nənt// | 🇬🇧 //ðæt ˈsɪstəm ɪz ˈaʊər ˈɛnəmi//🇺🇸 //ðæt ˈsɪstəm ɪz ˈaʊər ˈɛnəmi// |
| Meaning | A person you compete against in a game or contest. | A system that opposes or fights against us. |
| Example | She trained hard to defeat her main opponent in the championship. | That system is our enemy and we must find a way to defeat it. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | defeat an opponent, know your opponent, face an opponent | identify an enemy, target an enemy, defeat an enemy, face an enemy, become an enemy |
| Antonyms | ally, teammate | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 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 notes | Used 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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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.