Cool MateAnnounce vs Proclaim
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Announce
Proclaim
| Announce | Proclaim | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈnaʊns/","/əˈnaʊnsɪz/","/əˈnaʊnst/","/əˈnaʊnsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈnaʊns/","/əˈnaʊnsɪz/","/əˈnaʊnst/","/əˈnaʊnsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/prəˈkleɪm/","/prəˈkleɪmz/","/prəˈkleɪmd/","/prəˈkleɪmɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/prəˈkleɪm/","/prəˈkleɪmz/","/prəˈkleɪmd/","/prəˈkleɪmɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make something known to many people | To announce or say something publicly. |
| Example | They will announce the results of the competition tomorrow. | The president will proclaim a national holiday to celebrate the country's independence. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | formally, officially, publicly, be expected to, expect to, be delighted to, to, formally, officially, publicly, be expected to, expect to, be delighted to, to | loudly, formally, officially, seem to, continue to, as, to, loudly, formally, officially, seem to, continue to, as, to |
| Antonyms | conceal, hide | conceal, suppress, withhold |
| Common mistakes | Confusing it with 'notify'; 'announce' is more public, Using it without an object; 'announce' needs something to announce, Using it in passive voice incorrectly; it is usually active | Confused with 'declare' – both mean to make known, but 'proclaim' sounds more public., Using 'proclaim' in casual settings where simpler words work better., Omitting the object – remember to say what is being proclaimed. |
| Usage notes | Use 'announce' for formal and neutral contexts, such as public speeches or official statements. Avoid in very casual situations. | Used in speeches or declarations. It sounds formal, so it's best for official or serious contexts; less appropriate for casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Announce vs Proclaim
What's the difference between Announce and Proclaim?
Announce: To make something known to many people Proclaim: To announce or say something publicly.
Which is more formal: Announce and Proclaim?
Proclaim is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Announce and Proclaim?
Announce is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Announce and Proclaim?
Proclaim is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Announce and Proclaim the same CEFR level?
Announce: B1, Proclaim: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Announce and Proclaim?
Announce: verb, Proclaim: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Announce: They will announce the results of the competition tomorrow. Proclaim: The president will proclaim a national holiday to celebrate the country's independence.
Can I use Announce and Proclaim interchangeably?
Not always. Announce and Proclaim 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.