Cool MatePhrase vs Sentence
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Phrase
Top 2,000 (common)A1noun
Sentence
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Most common: Sentence
| Phrase | Sentence | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/freɪz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/freɪz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsentəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsentəns/"]/ |
| Meaning | A group of words that have a meaning together. | A group of words that express a complete thought. |
| Example | Can you teach me this phrase in French? | She wrote a beautiful sentence in her essay. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | colloquial, idiomatic, key, employ, turn, use, book, in a/the phrase, a choice of phrase, a turn of phrase, colloquial, idiomatic, key, employ, turn, use, book, in a/the phrase, a choice of phrase, a turn of phrase | long, short, complete, begin, finish, complete, contain something, have something, structure, maximum, minimum, average, hand down, impose, pass, sentence for, under sentence of death |
| Antonyms | single word, term, word | fragment, phrase, word |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'phrase' with 'sentence' which is a complete thought., Using 'phrase' to refer to a single word., Not understanding that phrases can vary in length. | Using 'sentence' when referring to a single word., Confusing 'sentence' with 'phrase', which is not a complete thought., Saying 'sentences' when referring to the concept in a general way. |
| Usage notes | Use 'phrase' to describe specific groups of words, often in the context of language and communication. Avoid using it in highly formal writing where a more precise term might be expected. | Use 'sentence' when talking about written or spoken language. It's neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in technical or specialized discussions about grammar. |
Frequently asked questions: Phrase vs Sentence
What's the difference between Phrase and Sentence?
Phrase: A group of words that have a meaning together. Sentence: A group of words that express a complete thought.
Which is more common: Phrase and Sentence?
Sentence is the most common in everyday English.
Are Phrase and Sentence the same CEFR level?
Phrase: A1, Sentence: A1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Phrase and Sentence interchangeably?
Not always. Phrase and Sentence 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.