Cover whatever the damages are vs Settle

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

Cover whatever the damages are

Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Settle

Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most common: Settle
 Cover whatever the damages areSettle
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ˈkʌvə wɪˈtɛvə ðə ˈdæmɪdʒɪz ɑː//🇺🇸 //ˈkʌvər wəˈtɛvər ðə ˈdæmɪdʒɪz ɑːr//🇬🇧 /["/ˈsetl/","/ˈsetlz/","/ˈsetld/","/ˈsetlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsetl/","/ˈsetlz/","/ˈsetld/","/ˈsetlɪŋ/"]/
MeaningPay for any losses or harm.To make a decision or to end a disagreement.
ExampleThey promised to cover whatever the damages are caused by the storm.After a long day at work, I just want to settle on the couch and relax.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonBeyond 10,000 (less common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level-B2
Part of speechverb
Collocationscover damages, damage assessment, insurance coverage, claim for damages, full coverageamicably, peacefully, eventually, attempt to, try to, agree to, for, on, with, an attempt to settle something, permanently, eventually, finally, decide to, intend to, be densely settled, be sparsely settled, be ready to settle down, permanently, eventually, finally, decide to, intend to, be densely settled, be sparsely settled, be ready to settle down, comfortably, happily, peacefully, be unable to, cannot, allow somebody to, settle down to do something, comfortably, happily, peacefully, be unable to, cannot, allow somebody to, settle down to do something
Antonyms-disagree, disrupt, unsettle
Common mistakesConfused with 'recover' instead of 'cover'., Using 'covers' instead of 'cover' when referring to plural damages.Confusing 'settle' with 'settle down' which means to start a family., Using 'settle' without an object when it needs one., Confusing the past tense forms 'settled' and 'setled'.
Usage notesUsed in formal or business contexts dealing with compensation or insurance. Informally, it can refer to handling situations, but less frequently.Use 'settle' when talking about resolving issues or moving to a place. It's appropriate in both casual and professional contexts. Avoid it in highly formal writing.

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Cover whatever the damages are

Frequently asked questions: Cover whatever the damages are vs Settle

What's the difference between Cover whatever the damages are and Settle?

Cover whatever the damages are: Pay for any losses or harm. Settle: To make a decision or to end a disagreement.

Which is more common: Cover whatever the damages are and Settle?

Settle is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Cover whatever the damages are: They promised to cover whatever the damages are caused by the storm. Settle: After a long day at work, I just want to settle on the couch and relax.

Can I use Cover whatever the damages are and Settle interchangeably?

Not always. Cover whatever the damages are and Settle 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.

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