Cool MateCommunicate vs Convey
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Communicate
Convey
| Communicate | Convey | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪts/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪd/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪts/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪd/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈveɪ/","/kənˈveɪz/","/kənˈveɪd/","/kənˈveɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈveɪ/","/kənˈveɪz/","/kənˈveɪd/","/kənˈveɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To share information or ideas with others. | To communicate or express something. |
| Example | It's important to communicate your ideas clearly to others. | She used gestures to convey her feelings when words failed. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | clearly, effectively, successfully, by, through, to | clearly, perfectly, powerfully, can, could, try to, to |
| Antonyms | conceal, withhold, silence | miscommunicate, hide, obscure |
| Common mistakes | Using 'communicate' without an object (e.g., 'I communicate' instead of 'I communicate my ideas')., Confusing 'communicate' with 'communicative' which has a different meaning., Incorrectly conjugating the verb in different tenses. | Using 'convey' without an object (e.g., saying 'I convey' without specifying what)., Confusing it with 'conveyer' which refers to a type of belt., Mixing up the meaning with 'conveying' as in carrying physical items. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Can refer to spoken, written, or non-verbal communication. Avoid in very casual situations where simpler words might be more effective. | Use 'convey' when you want to express an idea or feeling. It's appropriate in both spoken and written language, but might sound a bit formal in everyday conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Communicate vs Convey
What's the difference between Communicate and Convey?
Communicate: To share information or ideas with others. Convey: To communicate or express something.
Which is more common: Communicate and Convey?
Communicate is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Communicate and Convey?
Convey is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Communicate and Convey the same CEFR level?
Communicate: A2, Convey: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Communicate and Convey?
Communicate: verb, Convey: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Communicate: It's important to communicate your ideas clearly to others. Convey: She used gestures to convey her feelings when words failed.
Can I use Communicate and Convey interchangeably?
Not always. Communicate and Convey 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.