Cool MateCompensate vs Cover whatever the damages are
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Compensate
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Cover whatever the damages are
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Compensate
| Compensate | Cover whatever the damages are | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒmpenseɪt/","/ˈkɒmpenseɪts/","/ˈkɒmpenseɪtɪd/","/ˈkɒmpenseɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːmpenseɪt/","/ˈkɑːmpenseɪts/","/ˈkɑːmpenseɪtɪd/","/ˈkɑːmpenseɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈkʌvə wɪˈtɛvə ðə ˈdæmɪdʒɪz ɑː//🇺🇸 //ˈkʌvər wəˈtɛvər ðə ˈdæmɪdʒɪz ɑːr// |
| Meaning | To make up for something bad or to pay someone for their loss. | Pay for any losses or harm. |
| Example | The company will compensate employees for overtime work. | They promised to cover whatever the damages are caused by the storm. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | amply, fully, more than, for, with, adequately, fairly, properly, for | cover damages, damage assessment, insurance coverage, claim for damages, full coverage |
| Antonyms | penalize, punish | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'compensate' with 'compensatory' (which is an adjective)., Using 'compensate for' and 'compensate with' interchangeably., Not using the object directly after 'compensate' (e.g., saying 'I will compensate' instead of 'I will compensate you'). | Confused with 'recover' instead of 'cover'., Using 'covers' instead of 'cover' when referring to plural damages. |
| Usage notes | Used in contexts where someone is repaid or rewarded for a loss, injury, or trouble. Often used in formal settings like business or legal contexts, but can also be used in everyday conversation. | Used in formal or business contexts dealing with compensation or insurance. Informally, it can refer to handling situations, but less frequently. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Compensate vs Cover whatever the damages are
What's the difference between Compensate and Cover whatever the damages are?
Compensate: To make up for something bad or to pay someone for their loss. Cover whatever the damages are: Pay for any losses or harm.
Which is more common: Compensate and Cover whatever the damages are?
Compensate is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Compensate: The company will compensate employees for overtime work. Cover whatever the damages are: They promised to cover whatever the damages are caused by the storm.
Can I use Compensate and Cover whatever the damages are interchangeably?
Not always. Compensate and Cover whatever the damages are 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.