Cool MateCompound vs Make them worse
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Compound
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Make them worse
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Compound
| Compound | Make them worse | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒmpaʊnd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ðɛm wɜːs//🇺🇸 //meɪk ðɛm wɜrs// |
| Meaning | A substance made of two or more elements joined together. | To cause something to become more negative or difficult. |
| Example | A compound is formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together. | His constant complaints only make them worse. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | chemical, inorganic, organic, form, make, produce, contain something, be derived from something, be found in something, compound of, military, palace, prison, in a/the compound, inside a/the compound | make them worse, can make it worse, will only make it worse |
| Antonyms | element, simple substance | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'composite' – remember 'compound' refers to specific chemical substances., Using 'compound' for non-chemical mixtures – be clear it refers to combinations of elements. | Using 'make them bad' instead of 'make them worse'., Confusing 'make better' with 'make worse'., Incorrectly assuming 'worse' is not gradable. |
| Usage notes | Use 'compound' in scientific contexts, especially in chemistry. Avoid in everyday conversation unless explaining scientific concepts. | Used to describe actions or situations that lead to a decline in quality or condition. Appropriate in both spoken and written contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Compound vs Make them worse
What's the difference between Compound and Make them worse?
Compound: A substance made of two or more elements joined together. Make them worse: To cause something to become more negative or difficult.
Which is more common: Compound and Make them worse?
Compound is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Compound: A compound is formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together. Make them worse: His constant complaints only make them worse.
Can I use Compound and Make them worse interchangeably?
Not always. Compound and Make them worse 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.