Take my word vs Trust me

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

Take my word

Top 3,000 (common)

Trust me

Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Trust me
 Take my wordTrust me
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //teɪk maɪ wɜːd//🇺🇸 //teɪk maɪ wɜrd//🇬🇧 //trʌst miː//🇺🇸 //trʌst mi//
MeaningBelieve what I say.Believe what I say.
ExampleIf I say it's going to rain, take my word for it.If you follow my advice, trust me, you’ll succeed.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 3,000 (common)Top 1,000 (very common)
Collocationstake someone's word, take your word seriously, take my word for ittrust me on this, trust me, it's true, just trust me
Common mistakesUsing it in very formal situations., Not using it as a complete phrase., Confusing it with 'take my advice'.Using it too seriously in formal contexts., Misplacing emphasis, making it sound insincere., Confusing it with 'believe me'.
Usage notesUsed informally to encourage someone to trust you. Avoid in formal writing or serious discussions.Use this phrase to assure someone of your honesty. Avoid in formal situations; it’s more effective in casual conversations.

See it in real clips

Take my word
Trust me

Frequently asked questions: Take my word vs Trust me

What's the difference between Take my word and Trust me?

Take my word: Believe what I say. Trust me: Believe what I say.

Which is more common: Take my word and Trust me?

Trust me is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Take my word: If I say it's going to rain, take my word for it. Trust me: If you follow my advice, trust me, you’ll succeed.

Can I use Take my word and Trust me interchangeably?

Not always. Take my word and Trust me 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.

Related comparisons