Cool MateCriminals vs The mob doesn't scare me
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Criminals
Top 2,000 (common)
The mob doesn't scare me
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: CriminalsMost common: Criminals
| Criminals | The mob doesn't scare me | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈkrɪmɪnəlz//🇺🇸 //ˈkrɪmɪnəlz// | 🇬🇧 //ðə mɒb ˈdʌzənt skɛə mi//🇺🇸 //ðə mɑb ˈdʌzənt skɛr mi// |
| Meaning | People who break the law. | A group of people, usually involved in crime. |
| Example | The police arrested several **criminals** after the bank robbery. | The mob doesn't scare me, I've faced worse challenges. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | repeat criminals, organized criminals, petty criminals, violent criminals, convicted criminals | mob boss, mob violence, mob rule, mob activity, mob mentality |
| Antonyms | law-abiding citizens, good people, innocents | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'criminal' (singular) and 'criminals' (plural)., Using 'criminals' when referring to someone accused but not convicted., Overusing in non-legal contexts may seem inappropriate. | Confused with 'crowd' - 'mob' has a stronger, often negative implication., Using 'mob' to describe any group of people, ignoring the criminal connotation. |
| Usage notes | Use 'criminals' in discussions about crime. It's appropriate in news and legal contexts but may sound harsh in casual conversations. | Commonly used in informal contexts, often in relation to organized crime. Not suitable for formal discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Criminals vs The mob doesn't scare me
What's the difference between Criminals and The mob doesn't scare me?
Criminals: People who break the law. The mob doesn't scare me: A group of people, usually involved in crime.
Which is more formal: Criminals and The mob doesn't scare me?
Criminals is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Criminals and The mob doesn't scare me?
Criminals is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Criminals: The police arrested several **criminals** after the bank robbery. The mob doesn't scare me: The mob doesn't scare me, I've faced worse challenges.
Can I use Criminals and The mob doesn't scare me interchangeably?
Not always. Criminals and The mob doesn't scare me 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.