Enjoy vs Like swinging a periscope around

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

Enjoy

Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb

Like swinging a periscope around

InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: EnjoyMost common: Enjoy
 EnjoyLike swinging a periscope around
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈdʒɔɪ/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪz/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪd/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈdʒɔɪ/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪz/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪd/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //laɪk ˈswɪŋɪŋ ə ˈpɛrɪskəʊp əˈraʊnd//🇺🇸 //laɪk ˈswɪŋɪŋ ə ˈpɛrɪskoʊp əˈraʊnd//
Meaningto like or take pleasure in somethingTo enjoy moving something from side to side, like a tool used to see above water.
ExampleI really enjoy reading novels in my free time.She was like swinging a periscope around, laughing as she searched for dolphins.
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelA1-
Part of speechverb
Collocationsenormously, greatly, hugely, be able to, seem to, begin to, enjoy yourself, just enjoy it/​something, enormously, greatly, hugely, be able to, seem to, begin to, enjoy yourself, just enjoy it/​somethinghave fun, enjoy life, playful action, search for treasures, explore surroundings
Antonymsdislike, hate, detest-
Common mistakesUsing 'enjoy' with gerunds incorrectly; it should be 'enjoy doing' not 'enjoy to do'., Confusing the use of 'enjoy' with 'like' although they have similar meanings, 'enjoy' often implies a deeper appreciation., Omitting the object of 'enjoy' can lead to incomplete sentences.Confused with 'like' as a noun instead of a verb., Misinterpreted the expression as serious instead of playful., Omitting context that makes the meaning clear.
Usage notesUse 'enjoy' when talking about activities or experiences that are pleasurable. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts but is more common in casual conversation. Avoid in overly formal contexts.Used often in casual conversation; avoid in formal writing. Suggests playful or carefree action.

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Enjoy
Like swinging a periscope around

Frequently asked questions: Enjoy vs Like swinging a periscope around

What's the difference between Enjoy and Like swinging a periscope around?

Enjoy: to like or take pleasure in something Like swinging a periscope around: To enjoy moving something from side to side, like a tool used to see above water.

Which is more formal: Enjoy and Like swinging a periscope around?

Enjoy is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Enjoy and Like swinging a periscope around?

Enjoy is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Enjoy: I really enjoy reading novels in my free time. Like swinging a periscope around: She was like swinging a periscope around, laughing as she searched for dolphins.

Can I use Enjoy and Like swinging a periscope around interchangeably?

Not always. Enjoy and Like swinging a periscope around 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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