Cool MateBlunder vs Make mistakes
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Blunder
Top 2,000 (common)B1noun
Make mistakes
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Make mistakes
| Blunder | Make mistakes | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈblʌndə//🇺🇸 //ˈblʌndər// | 🇬🇧 //meɪk mɪsˈteɪks//🇺🇸 //meɪk mɪsˈteɪks// |
| Meaning | A big mistake or careless error. | to do something wrong or make an error |
| Example | His explanation was full of blunders that made everyone confused. | Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | serious blunder, common blunder, make a blunder | make a mistake, make mistakes, learn from mistakes, admit mistakes, correct mistakes |
| Antonyms | accuracy, perfection, success | correct, perfect, succeed |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'fumble' which refers to a physical mistake rather than a mental error., Using 'blunder' only in formal situations; it can also be used in informal contexts., Overusing the word for small mistakes; it's meant for significant errors. | Using 'make' with a plural noun incorrectly, e.g., 'makes mistakes', Confusing 'make mistakes' with 'do mistakes', which is incorrect, Using 'mistake' in singular when referring to errors in general |
| Usage notes | Use 'blunder' for mistakes that are noticeable and often embarrassing. It's suitable for most contexts but may sound too strong in casual conversation. | Used in everyday conversation and writing. Avoid in very formal contexts where 'errors' might be preferred. |
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Frequently asked questions: Blunder vs Make mistakes
What's the difference between Blunder and Make mistakes?
Blunder: A big mistake or careless error. Make mistakes: to do something wrong or make an error
Which is more common: Blunder and Make mistakes?
Make mistakes is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Blunder: His explanation was full of blunders that made everyone confused. Make mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.
Can I use Blunder and Make mistakes interchangeably?
Not always. Blunder and Make mistakes 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.