Cool MateIntensify vs They make it too personal
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Intensify
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
They make it too personal
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Intensify
| Intensify | They make it too personal | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪ/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪz/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪd/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪ/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪz/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪd/","/ɪnˈtensɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðeɪ meɪk ɪt tuː ˈpɜːsənəl//🇺🇸 //ðeɪ meɪk ɪt tu ˈpɜrsənl// |
| Meaning | To make something stronger or more extreme. | They treat it like a personal issue. |
| Example | Violence intensified during the night. | Sometimes, in negotiations, they make it too personal, which can lead to conflicts. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | greatly, dramatically, rapidly, seem to, tend to, be likely to | too personal, make it personal, make it about you, take it personally |
| Antonyms | diminish, reduce, weaken | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'intensify' incorrectly with inanimate objects, like 'intensify the chair.', Confusing 'intensify' with 'intensification', which is a different form., Using 'intensify' in past tense incorrectly, such as 'intensified' without context. | Confused with 'make it personal' - dropping the 'too'., Used incorrectly in formal context - better for casual conversations., Misunderstanding the meaning of 'too' - not just mean or excessive. |
| Usage notes | Use 'intensify' when describing emotions, situations, or actions that become stronger. It fits in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in very casual conversations. | Use in social or work contexts when discussing someone's involvement in a situation. Avoid when discussing purely professional matters. |
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Frequently asked questions: Intensify vs They make it too personal
What's the difference between Intensify and They make it too personal?
Intensify: To make something stronger or more extreme. They make it too personal: They treat it like a personal issue.
Which is more common: Intensify and They make it too personal?
Intensify is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Intensify: Violence intensified during the night. They make it too personal: Sometimes, in negotiations, they make it too personal, which can lead to conflicts.
Can I use Intensify and They make it too personal interchangeably?
Not always. Intensify and They make it too personal 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.