Cool MateCommunicate vs Convey vs Express vs Relay vs Share
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Communicate
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Convey
Top 3,000 (common)B2verb
Express
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Relay
Top 2,000 (common)
Share
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Communicate | Convey | Express | Relay | Share | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪts/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪd/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪts/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪd/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈveɪ/","/kənˈveɪz/","/kənˈveɪd/","/kənˈveɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈveɪ/","/kənˈveɪz/","/kənˈveɪd/","/kənˈveɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈspres/","/ɪkˈspresɪz/","/ɪkˈsprest/","/ɪkˈspresɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈspres/","/ɪkˈspresɪz/","/ɪkˈsprest/","/ɪkˈspresɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //rɪˈleɪ//🇺🇸 //rɪˈleɪ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃeə(r)/","/ʃeəz/","/ʃeəd/","/ˈʃeərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃer/","/ʃerz/","/ʃerd/","/ˈʃerɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To share information or ideas with others. | To communicate or express something. | To show or say something clearly. | A race where teams take turns running, or passing something. | To let someone use or have part of something that you have. |
| Example | It's important to communicate your ideas clearly to others. | She used gestures to convey her feelings when words failed. | I want to express my feelings about the situation. | The relay team won the competition. | I will share my toys with my friends. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 | A2 | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | clearly, effectively, successfully, by, through, to | clearly, perfectly, powerfully, can, could, try to, to | well, fully, forcefully, be able to, feel able to, be unable to, a chance to express something, an opportunity to express something, well, fully, forcefully, be able to, feel able to, be unable to, a chance to express something, an opportunity to express something | relay race, relay information, relay team, relay baton, relay station | fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared, fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared, fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared |
| Antonyms | conceal, withhold, silence | miscommunicate, hide, obscure | suppress, hide, conceal | - | hoard, keep, withhold |
| 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. | Confused with 'impress' vs 'express', Using 'express' with a subject instead of an object (e.g., 'express to me' instead of 'express your feelings'), Omitting the object when using 'express' (e.g., saying 'I want to express' without explaining what is being expressed) | Confused with 'release' which has a different meaning., Using 'relay' as a noun and forgetting it's also a verb. | Using 'share' without an object (e.g., saying 'I will share' instead of 'I will share my lunch'), Confusing 'share' with 'sharpen', Incorrectly using 'share' as a noun rather than a verb (e.g., saying 'the share of the book' instead of 'the sharing of the book') |
| 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. | Use 'express' in contexts where you are talking about sharing thoughts, feelings, or ideas. It's appropriate for both spoken and written communication. Avoid using it in very casual conversations where simpler words might suffice. | Common in sports contexts; can also refer to passing information. Suitable for all audiences. | Use 'share' when talking about dividing resources or experiences. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid in very formal contexts where more specific terms may be required. |
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Frequently asked questions: Communicate vs Convey vs Express vs Relay vs Share
What's the difference between Communicate, Convey, Express, Relay, and Share?
Communicate: To share information or ideas with others. Convey: To communicate or express something. Express: To show or say something clearly. Relay: A race where teams take turns running, or passing something. Share: To let someone use or have part of something that you have.
Which is more advanced: Communicate, Convey, Express, Relay, and Share?
Convey is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
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. Express: I want to express my feelings about the situation. Relay: The relay team won the competition. Share: I will share my toys with my friends.
Can I use Communicate, Convey, Express, Relay, and Share interchangeably?
Not always. Communicate, Convey, Express, Relay, and Share 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.