Cool MateExcel vs Succeed vs Thrive vs You really shine on that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Excel
Succeed
Thrive
You really shine on that
| Excel | Succeed | Thrive | You really shine on that | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪkˈsɛl//🇺🇸 //ɪkˈsɛl// | 🇬🇧 /["/səkˈsiːd/","/səkˈsiːdz/","/səkˈsiːdɪd/","/səkˈsiːdɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səkˈsiːd/","/səkˈsiːdz/","/səkˈsiːdɪd/","/səkˈsiːdɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/θraɪv/","/θraɪvz/","/θraɪvd/","/ˈθraɪvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/θraɪv/","/θraɪvz/","/θraɪvd/","/ˈθraɪvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //juː ˈrɪəli ʃaɪn ɒn ðæt//🇺🇸 //juː ˈrɪəli ʃaɪn ɑn ðæt// |
| Meaning | To do very well in something. | to do well or to reach a goal | To grow strong and be successful. | You do something very well. |
| Example | She really excels in mathematics. | If you work hard, you will succeed in your goals. | New businesses thrive in this area. | In the school play, you really shine on that stage. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | excel in sports, excel at studies, excel in academics | admirably, beautifully, brilliantly, be likely to, be unlikely to, be determined to, against, at, in, admirably, beautifully, brilliantly, be likely to, be unlikely to, be determined to, against, at, in, appoint somebody to, elect somebody to, be tipped to, as, to, appoint somebody to, elect somebody to, be tipped to, as, to | positively, still, seem to, continue to, fail to, on, failure to thrive | shine on stage, shine in performance, shine in work, shine in exam, shine with talent |
| Antonyms | fail, struggle, flounder | fail, stop, flop | fail, decline, wither | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'exceed' when referring to surpassing a limit., Using 'excel' without specifying the area of excellence., Incorrectly conjugating the verb 'excel', e.g., saying 'excelled in' instead of 'excels in'. | Confused with 'succeed in' vs 'succeed at', Using 'succeed' without an object or context, Incorrectly conjugating with 'succeeded' in future tense | Confusing with 'survive' - thrive means to do well, while survive means to just get by., Using it in a negative sentence - thrive is generally positive, so it's rare to say 'does not thrive.', Confusing the prepositions - remember to use 'on', 'in', or 'through' correctly. | Misusing 'shine' in a negative context., Confusing with 'shine' as in to polish or clean., Omitting 'really' for emphasis. |
| Usage notes | Use 'excel' when someone performs exceptionally well in a task or skill. It is appropriate in both academic and professional contexts. | Use 'succeed' in general situations where someone achieves their aims. More common in neutral contexts than in formal discussions. Avoid using in overly casual settings. | This word is suitable in both casual and professional contexts. Use it to describe personal growth or the success of businesses and plants. Avoid using it in overly negative contexts. | Used to compliment someone's skills or performance, often in informal or conversational contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Excel vs Succeed vs Thrive vs You really shine on that
What's the difference between Excel, Succeed, Thrive, and You really shine on that?
Excel: To do very well in something. Succeed: to do well or to reach a goal Thrive: To grow strong and be successful. You really shine on that: You do something very well.
Which is more common: Excel, Succeed, Thrive, and You really shine on that?
Succeed is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Excel, Succeed, Thrive, and You really shine on that?
Thrive is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Excel: She really excels in mathematics. Succeed: If you work hard, you will succeed in your goals. Thrive: New businesses thrive in this area. You really shine on that: In the school play, you really shine on that stage.
Can I use Excel, Succeed, Thrive, and You really shine on that interchangeably?
Not always. Excel, Succeed, Thrive, and You really shine on that 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.