Cool MateAcceptance vs Tolerance
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Acceptance
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Tolerance
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
| Acceptance | Tolerance | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əkˈseptəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əkˈseptəns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈtɒlərəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtɑːlərəns/"]/ |
| Meaning | Agreeing to something or someone being included. | The ability to accept or respect differences in people or things. |
| Example | Her acceptance of the award was a proud moment for all of us. | Tolerance of different cultures is essential in a globalized world. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | complete, full, total, achieve, find, gain, address, speech, letter, acceptance among, acceptance of, complete, full, total, achieve, find, gain, address, speech, letter, acceptance among, acceptance of | great, political, racial, degree, level, have, show, learn, tolerance for, tolerance of, tolerance towards/toward, a lack of tolerance, high, low, decreased, level, have, develop, improve, level, tolerance for, tolerance to |
| Antonyms | rejection, disapproval, exclusion | intolerance, prejudice, bias |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'accept' which is a verb., Using 'acceptance' instead of 'accept' in an action context., Incorrectly linking 'acceptance' only to positive situations. | Confused with 'tolerate' as a verb instead of a noun., Using 'tolerance' incorrectly as a verb., Mixing up its meaning with 'indifference'. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, it may refer to accepting an offer or proposal, while in informal contexts it can relate to social acceptance. | Use 'tolerance' in discussions about diversity, acceptance, and social issues. It might feel formal in casual conversations but is essential in respectful discussions. |
Frequently asked questions: Acceptance vs Tolerance
What's the difference between Acceptance and Tolerance?
Acceptance: Agreeing to something or someone being included. Tolerance: The ability to accept or respect differences in people or things.
Are Acceptance and Tolerance the same CEFR level?
Acceptance: C1, Tolerance: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Acceptance and Tolerance?
Acceptance: noun, Tolerance: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Acceptance: Her acceptance of the award was a proud moment for all of us. Tolerance: Tolerance of different cultures is essential in a globalized world.
Can I use Acceptance and Tolerance interchangeably?
Not always. Acceptance and Tolerance 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.