Cool MateHave a little faith vs Trust
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Have a little faith
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Trust
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Most common: Trust
| Have a little faith | Trust | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //hæv ə ˈlɪt(ə)l feɪθ//🇺🇸 //hæv ə ˈlɪt(əl feɪθ// | 🇬🇧 /["/trʌst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/trʌst/"]/ |
| Meaning | Believe in something even if you have doubts. | To believe in someone or something. |
| Example | When times are tough, you just have to have a little faith. | Her trust in him was unwavering, even when others doubted him. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | have faith, little hope, show faith, put faith, need faith | great, absolute, complete, have, place, put, exist, trust among, trust between, trust for, a breach of trust, a lack of trust, a position of trust, offshore, investment, unit, hold something in, hold something on, keep something in, account, assets, fund, in trust, trust for, independent, charitable, non-profit, manage, run, own, manage, run, trust for |
| Antonyms | - | distrust, mistrust |
| Common mistakes | Using it in overly serious contexts., Confusing with 'have faith' (less emphasis on 'little')., Misusing in negative statements. | Confused with 'rely on'—they have slightly different meanings., Using 'trust' with inanimate objects is uncommon—better to say 'rely on'., Mixing up 'trust' with 'believe'—they are similar but not interchangeable. |
| Usage notes | Use in contexts of encouragement or reassurance. It's positive and optimistic, often said informally. | Use 'trust' in neutral contexts like personal relationships or business. Avoid using it where skepticism is implied, such as in formal reports. |
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Frequently asked questions: Have a little faith vs Trust
What's the difference between Have a little faith and Trust?
Have a little faith: Believe in something even if you have doubts. Trust: To believe in someone or something.
Which is more common: Have a little faith and Trust?
Trust is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Have a little faith: When times are tough, you just have to have a little faith. Trust: Her trust in him was unwavering, even when others doubted him.
Can I use Have a little faith and Trust interchangeably?
Not always. Have a little faith and Trust 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.