Cool MatePost vs Share
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Post
Top 1,000 (very common)B1
Share
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Post | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/pəʊst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pəʊst/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃeə(r)/","/ʃeəz/","/ʃeəd/","/ˈʃeərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃer/","/ʃerz/","/ʃerd/","/ˈʃerɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To send or put something somewhere, especially online. | To let someone use or have part of something that you have. |
| Example | a postgraduate | I will share my toys with my friends. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | post a message, post a photo, post online, post a comment | fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared, fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared, fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared |
| Antonyms | remove, delete | hoard, keep, withhold |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'past' in writing., Using 'post' without an object, like just saying 'I'm going to post.', Mixing up 'post' with 'upload' – posting can include sharing, not just uploading. | Using 'share' without an object (e.g., saying 'I will share' instead of 'I will share my lunch'), Confusing 'share' with 'sharpen', Incorrectly using 'share' as a noun rather than a verb (e.g., saying 'the share of the book' instead of 'the sharing of the book') |
| Usage notes | Commonly used when sharing information online, like on social media. Be careful not to confuse it with 'mail' when referring to physical letters. | Use 'share' when talking about dividing resources or experiences. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid in very formal contexts where more specific terms may be required. |
Frequently asked questions: Post vs Share
What's the difference between Post and Share?
Post: To send or put something somewhere, especially online. Share: To let someone use or have part of something that you have.
Are Post and Share the same CEFR level?
Post: B1, Share: A1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Post and Share interchangeably?
Not always. Post and Share 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.