Balance vs The stability of the realm

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

Balance

Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun

The stability of the realm

FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: The stability of the realmMost common: Balance
 BalanceThe stability of the realm
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈbæləns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈbæləns/"]/🇬🇧 //ðə stəˈbɪləti əv ðə rɛlm//🇺🇸 //ðə stəˈbɪləti əv ðə rɛlm//
MeaningTo make things even or equal.How steady and secure the area is.
ExampleShe found it difficult to maintain her balance while walking on the tightrope.The stability of the realm depends on good leadership.
RegisterNeutralFormal
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationschanging, shifting, military, affect, change, shift, change, shift, swing, the balance of advantage, the balance of forces, the balance of power, excellent, good, poor, have, affect, improve, beam, off balance, a sense of balance, account, bank, cash, have, ask for, request, the balance of payments, the balance of trade, account, bank, cash, have, ask for, request, the balance of payments, the balance of tradeensure stability of the realm, threat to the stability of the realm, impact on the stability of the realm, preserve stability of the realm, assess stability of the realm
Antonymsimbalance, disparity-
Common mistakes'Balancing' used incorrectly as a noun instead of a verb., Mixing up 'balance' with 'equilibrium'., Saying 'balance of' instead of 'balance in'.Confused with 'the stability of the area', Using 'realm' for modern contexts instead of historical or fictional, Omitting 'the' in formal usage
Usage notesUse 'balance' when discussing equal distribution of weight or resources. It's appropriate in both formal and informal settings, but can sound awkward in very casual conversations.Generally used in formal contexts, such as literature or discussions about governance. Not suitable for casual conversations.

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The stability of the realm

Frequently asked questions: Balance vs The stability of the realm

What's the difference between Balance and The stability of the realm?

Balance: To make things even or equal. The stability of the realm: How steady and secure the area is.

Which is more formal: Balance and The stability of the realm?

The stability of the realm is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Balance and The stability of the realm?

Balance is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Balance: She found it difficult to maintain her balance while walking on the tightrope. The stability of the realm: The stability of the realm depends on good leadership.

Can I use Balance and The stability of the realm interchangeably?

Not always. Balance and The stability of the realm 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.

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