Cool MateConviction vs Opinion
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Conviction
Top 3,000 (common)C1noun
Opinion
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Most common: Opinion
| Conviction | Opinion | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈvɪkʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈvɪkʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈpɪnjən/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈpɪnjən/"]/ |
| Meaning | A strong belief or opinion. | What you think about something. |
| Example | Her conviction for theft led to a five-year prison sentence. | In my opinion, the movie was fantastic. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | earlier, previous, prior, have, lead to, obtain, be based on, rate, on conviction, conviction against, conviction for, the rate of conviction, absolute, complete, total, have, hold, share, politics, with conviction, without conviction, conviction about, have the courage of your convictions, absolute, complete, total, have, hold, share, politics, with conviction, without conviction, conviction about, have the courage of your convictions | good, high, low, have, hold, air, change, differ, vary, piece, in your opinion, opinion about, opinion on, be of the opinion that…, a difference of opinion, in my humble opinion, prevailing, general, popular, body, mould/mold, shape, sway, be against something, be in favour/favor of something, be divided, poll, former, leader, opinion among, climate of opinion, shades of opinion |
| Antonyms | doubt, uncertainty, indecision | fact, certainty, truth |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'confidence'; they have different meanings., Using 'conviction' as a verb; it's only a noun., Mispronouncing it or stressing the wrong syllable. | 'Opinion' is often confused with 'view' or 'idea', but it’s more about personal belief., Saying 'in my opinion' too frequently can make writing sound repetitive., 'Opinion' is countable, so use 'an opinion' not 'a opinion'. |
| Usage notes | Used in discussions about beliefs, legal contexts, or strong opinions. Avoid in casual conversations unless discussing beliefs seriously. | Use 'opinion' when discussing thoughts or views. It’s neutral and suits most situations but may be too informal for formal essays. |
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Frequently asked questions: Conviction vs Opinion
What's the difference between Conviction and Opinion?
Conviction: A strong belief or opinion. Opinion: What you think about something.
Which is more common: Conviction and Opinion?
Opinion is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Conviction and Opinion?
Conviction is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Conviction and Opinion the same CEFR level?
Conviction: C1, Opinion: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Conviction and Opinion?
Conviction: noun, Opinion: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Conviction: Her conviction for theft led to a five-year prison sentence. Opinion: In my opinion, the movie was fantastic.
Can I use Conviction and Opinion interchangeably?
Not always. Conviction and Opinion 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.