Cool MateEnable vs Let your mother win
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Enable
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Let your mother win
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Enable
| Enable | Let your mother win | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪˈneɪbl/","/ɪˈneɪblz/","/ɪˈneɪbld/","/ɪˈneɪblɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪˈneɪbl/","/ɪˈneɪblz/","/ɪˈneɪbld/","/ɪˈneɪblɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lɛt jɔːr ˈmʌðər wɪn//🇺🇸 //lɛt jʊr ˈmʌðər wɪn// |
| Meaning | To make something possible or easy to do. | Allow your mother to be more successful or have a victory |
| Example | The new software will enable users to perform tasks more efficiently. | Sometimes, I just let your mother win to keep her happy. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | enable technology, enable access, enable features, enable growth, enable communication | let someone win, let your mother feel good, let your mother shine, let her win easily |
| Antonyms | disable, prohibit | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'enable' vs 'enable to' — remember 'enable' is followed directly by the object., Using 'enabled' incorrectly in present tense — it should match the subject in tense., Mixing up 'enable' and 'allow' — 'enable' implies making possible, while 'allow' means giving permission. | Confused with 'let your mother win' vs 'win your mother' (to court or dated her), Misused in formal contexts where competition is intense, Omitting 'your mother' and saying just 'let win' is incorrect |
| Usage notes | Use 'enable' when discussing technology, permissions, or abilities. It's suitable in both written and spoken contexts. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations. | Used in contexts where someone allows another person to win, often for kindness or support. Appropriate in friendly or familial scenarios. |
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Frequently asked questions: Enable vs Let your mother win
What's the difference between Enable and Let your mother win?
Enable: To make something possible or easy to do. Let your mother win: Allow your mother to be more successful or have a victory
Which is more common: Enable and Let your mother win?
Enable is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Enable: The new software will enable users to perform tasks more efficiently. Let your mother win: Sometimes, I just let your mother win to keep her happy.
Can I use Enable and Let your mother win interchangeably?
Not always. Enable and Let your mother win 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.