Cool MateHe can't endure this vs Tolerate
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
He can't endure this
Top 2,000 (common)
Tolerate
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
| He can't endure this | Tolerate | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪnˈdjʊə//🇺🇸 //ɪnˈdʊr// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈtɒləreɪt/","/ˈtɒləreɪts/","/ˈtɒləreɪtɪd/","/ˈtɒləreɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtɑːləreɪt/","/ˈtɑːləreɪts/","/ˈtɑːləreɪtɪd/","/ˈtɑːləreɪtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | He can't stand this. | To accept something unpleasant without complaining. |
| Example | He can't endure this kind of pain any longer. | I can tolerate cold weather, but I prefer warmer climates. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | endure pain, endure hardship, endure suffering, endure criticism, endure long wait | barely, just, merely, be unable to, cannot, not be prepared to, barely, just, merely, be unable to, cannot, not be prepared to, readily, well, poorly, be unable to, cannot, will not |
| Antonyms | - | reject, insist, oppose |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'insure' or 'ensure'., Used interchangeably with 'enjoy'., 'Endure' often requires a negative context. | Confused with 'endorse' — tolerate means to accept, not to support., Using intransitively (e.g., 'I tolerate' without an object)., Mixing up with 'put up with' — tolerate is more formal. |
| Usage notes | Use 'endure' in contexts of suffering or lasting through something difficult. Generally formal; not commonly used in casual speech. | Used in everyday conversation and writing. It's appropriate in neutral and formal contexts, but can sound weak in informal contexts where stronger emotions are expected. |
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Frequently asked questions: He can't endure this vs Tolerate
What's the difference between He can't endure this and Tolerate?
He can't endure this: He can't stand this. Tolerate: To accept something unpleasant without complaining.
Can you show an example of each?
He can't endure this: He can't endure this kind of pain any longer. Tolerate: I can tolerate cold weather, but I prefer warmer climates.
Can I use He can't endure this and Tolerate interchangeably?
Not always. He can't endure this and Tolerate 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.