Cool MateCompensate vs You can make amends
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Compensate
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
You can make amends
Top 2,000 (common)
| Compensate | You can make amends | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒmpenseɪt/","/ˈkɒmpenseɪts/","/ˈkɒmpenseɪtɪd/","/ˈkɒmpenseɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːmpenseɪt/","/ˈkɑːmpenseɪts/","/ˈkɑːmpenseɪtɪd/","/ˈkɑːmpenseɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //məɪk əˈmɛndz//🇺🇸 //meɪk əˈmɛndz// |
| Meaning | To make up for something bad or to pay someone for their loss. | To fix a mistake and improve a relationship. |
| Example | The company will compensate employees for overtime work. | After their argument, he decided it was time to make amends. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | amply, fully, more than, for, with, adequately, fairly, properly, for | make amends, make amends with someone, make amends for something |
| 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'). | Confusing 'make amends' with 'make amend'., Using 'make' with a direct object instead of the proper phrase., Omitting the context of a wrong or mistake when using the phrase. |
| 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. | Use 'make amends' in personal or professional contexts when someone wants to apologize or correct a wrong. It's polite and appropriate. |
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Frequently asked questions: Compensate vs You can make amends
What's the difference between Compensate and You can make amends?
Compensate: To make up for something bad or to pay someone for their loss. You can make amends: To fix a mistake and improve a relationship.
Can you show an example of each?
Compensate: The company will compensate employees for overtime work. You can make amends: After their argument, he decided it was time to make amends.
Can I use Compensate and You can make amends interchangeably?
Not always. Compensate and You can make amends 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.