Cool MateExperiment vs Want to give it a whirl
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Experiment
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Want to give it a whirl
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: ExperimentMost common: Experiment
| Experiment | Want to give it a whirl | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈsperɪmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈsperɪmənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wɒnt tə ɡɪv ɪt ə wɜːl//🇺🇸 //wɑnt tə ɡɪv ɪt ə wɜrl// |
| Meaning | A test to find out something new. | To try something new or different. |
| Example | The scientist conducted an experiment to test her hypothesis. | She wants to give it a whirl and see if she likes rock climbing. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | animal, field, laboratory, carry out, conduct, do, confirm something, demonstrate something, find something, by experiment, during an/the experiment, in an/the experiment, animal, field, laboratory, carry out, conduct, do, confirm something, demonstrate something, find something, by experiment, during an/the experiment, in an/the experiment | give it a whirl, want to give it a whirl, give it another whirl, let's give it a whirl, should give it a whirl |
| Antonyms | certainty, fact | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'experience' which refers to knowledge gained over time., Using 'experiments' as a verb instead of the noun form., Saying 'experimenting of' instead of 'experimenting with'. | Using it in very formal contexts., Confusing it with 'give it a try' - 'whirl' adds a sense of fun., Not understanding 'want to' implies a desire. |
| Usage notes | Used in scientific contexts but can also refer to trying new ideas in everyday life. More formal in academic writing. | Use in casual conversation when suggesting someone should try something. Avoid in formal writing or serious discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Experiment vs Want to give it a whirl
What's the difference between Experiment and Want to give it a whirl?
Experiment: A test to find out something new. Want to give it a whirl: To try something new or different.
Which is more formal: Experiment and Want to give it a whirl?
Experiment is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Experiment and Want to give it a whirl?
Experiment is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Experiment: The scientist conducted an experiment to test her hypothesis. Want to give it a whirl: She wants to give it a whirl and see if she likes rock climbing.
Can I use Experiment and Want to give it a whirl interchangeably?
Not always. Experiment and Want to give it a whirl 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.