Cool MateDisturb vs Make trouble for you
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Disturb
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Make trouble for you
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: DisturbMost common: Disturb
| Disturb | Make trouble for you | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈstɜːb/","/dɪˈstɜːbz/","/dɪˈstɜːbd/","/dɪˈstɜːbɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈstɜːrb/","/dɪˈstɜːrbz/","/dɪˈstɜːrbd/","/dɪˈstɜːrbɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //meɪk ˈtrʌb.əl fə juː//🇺🇸 //meɪk ˈtrʌb.əl fɔr ju// |
| Meaning | to interrupt or bother someone | To cause problems for someone. |
| Example | Please do not disturb me while I am working on this project. | The kids always manage to make trouble for you during family gatherings. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | disturb the peace, disturb someone, disturb the flow | make trouble for someone, make serious trouble for you, often make trouble for you |
| Antonyms | calm, soothe, pacify | - |
| Common mistakes | Confuse with 'interrupt' – they are similar but not the same., Use 'disturb' with 'to' – it's used directly with an object (e.g., disturb her, not disturb to her). | Confused with 'cause trouble for you' - these are similar but have different nuances., Using 'makes' instead of 'make' - ensure subject-verb agreement., Omitting 'for you' - this phrase needs a recipient. |
| Usage notes | Use 'disturb' when someone is interrupted. It can sound rude if you say it while someone is working or focusing. | Commonly used in informal settings. Avoid in professional or formal contexts. It implies a sense of mischief or deliberate annoyance. |
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Frequently asked questions: Disturb vs Make trouble for you
What's the difference between Disturb and Make trouble for you?
Disturb: to interrupt or bother someone Make trouble for you: To cause problems for someone.
Which is more formal: Disturb and Make trouble for you?
Disturb is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Disturb and Make trouble for you?
Disturb is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Disturb: Please do not disturb me while I am working on this project. Make trouble for you: The kids always manage to make trouble for you during family gatherings.
Can I use Disturb and Make trouble for you interchangeably?
Not always. Disturb and Make trouble for you 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.