Cool MateShe had those marks vs Signs
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
She had those marks
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Signs
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Signs
| She had those marks | Signs | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ʃiː hæd ðəʊz mɑːks//🇺🇸 //ʃi hæd ðoʊz mɑrks// | 🇬🇧 //saɪnz//🇺🇸 //saɪnz// |
| Meaning | She showed signs or evidence of something. | Things that give information or show something. |
| Example | She had those marks from her travels to exotic places. | The signs on the highway help drivers navigate. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | show those marks, notice those marks, have those marks, display those marks, see those marks | warning signs, traffic signs, signs of change, signs of life, signs of aging |
| Antonyms | - | silence, inaction |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'make a mark' related to achievement., Misunderstood the context; it's often about appearance or evidence. | Confusing 'sign' (indication) with 'signal' (communication cue), Using 'signs' incorrectly with singular verbs |
| Usage notes | Commonly used to indicate someone has visible symptoms, features, or impressions, suitable in both written and spoken contexts. | Use 'sign' to refer to a specific indication or event, or 'signs' for multiple indications. Common in everyday conversation and signage contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: She had those marks vs Signs
What's the difference between She had those marks and Signs?
She had those marks: She showed signs or evidence of something. Signs: Things that give information or show something.
Which is more common: She had those marks and Signs?
Signs is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
She had those marks: She had those marks from her travels to exotic places. Signs: The signs on the highway help drivers navigate.
Can I use She had those marks and Signs interchangeably?
Not always. She had those marks and Signs 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.