Connected vs Like brothers and stuff

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Connected

Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective

Like brothers and stuff

InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: ConnectedMost common: Connected
 ConnectedLike brothers and stuff
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/kəˈnektɪd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəˈnektɪd/"]/🇬🇧 //laɪk ˈbrʌðəz ənd stʌf//🇺🇸 //laɪk ˈbrʌðərz ənd stʌf//
MeaningJoined or linked together.Similar to brothers and similar things.
ExampleAfter setting up the Wi-Fi, all devices are now connected.They argue sometimes, but they're always friends, like brothers and stuff.
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelA2-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsstay connected, connected devices, connected community, feel connected, connected worldbrothers and sisters, like family, friends and stuff, bonds and stuff, support each other
Antonymsdisconnected, separate, isolated-
Common mistakesConfusing with 'connective' or 'connection'., Using in wrong tense (e.g., 'connects' instead of 'connected')., Omitting necessary context (e.g., 'connected' without specifying what is connected).Using in formal contexts., Misplacing the phrase in a sentence., Overusing in conversation.
Usage notesUsed in both tech and social contexts. Common when talking about devices or relationships. Avoid in highly formal writing.Used casually among friends to express a bond similar to that of brothers; may not be suitable for formal settings.

See it in real clips

Connected
Like brothers and stuff

Frequently asked questions: Connected vs Like brothers and stuff

What's the difference between Connected and Like brothers and stuff?

Connected: Joined or linked together. Like brothers and stuff: Similar to brothers and similar things.

Which is more formal: Connected and Like brothers and stuff?

Connected is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Connected and Like brothers and stuff?

Connected is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Connected: After setting up the Wi-Fi, all devices are now connected. Like brothers and stuff: They argue sometimes, but they're always friends, like brothers and stuff.

Can I use Connected and Like brothers and stuff interchangeably?

Not always. Connected and Like brothers and stuff 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.

Related comparisons