Cool MateEnable vs You let five people die
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Enable
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
You let five people die
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Enable
| Enable | You let five people die | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪˈneɪbl/","/ɪˈneɪblz/","/ɪˈneɪbld/","/ɪˈneɪblɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪˈneɪbl/","/ɪˈneɪblz/","/ɪˈneɪbld/","/ɪˈneɪblɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊ lɛt faɪv ˈpiːpəl daɪ//🇺🇸 //ju lɛt faɪv ˈpipəl daɪ// |
| Meaning | To make something possible or easy to do. | You allowed five people to die. |
| Example | The new software will enable users to perform tasks more efficiently. | You let five people die in the accident last year. |
| 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 go, let in, let down, let be, let loose |
| 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' vs 'allow', thinking they mean entirely the same., Using 'let' in passive voice incorrectly., Incorrect verb form after 'let', such as 'letted' instead of 'let'. |
| 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. | Use 'let' in contexts where permission or allowance is implied. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Enable vs You let five people die
What's the difference between Enable and You let five people die?
Enable: To make something possible or easy to do. You let five people die: You allowed five people to die.
Which is more common: Enable and You let five people die?
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. You let five people die: You let five people die in the accident last year.
Can I use Enable and You let five people die interchangeably?
Not always. Enable and You let five people die 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.