Cool MateMessage vs That was not the signal
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Message
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
That was not the signal
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Message
| Message | That was not the signal | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmesɪdʒ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmesɪdʒ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæt wəz nɒt ðə ˈsɪgnəl//🇺🇸 //ðæt wəz nɑt ðə ˈsɪɡnəl// |
| Meaning | A piece of information sent or received. | A sign that tells you to do something. |
| Example | I received a message from my friend this morning. | When the light turned red, I realized that was not the signal to go. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | important, urgent, vital, convey, give somebody, pass somebody, come, say something, state something, message about, message for, message from, important, urgent, vital, convey, give somebody, pass somebody, come, say something, state something, message about, message for, message from, central, core, important, broadcast, disseminate, spread, emerge, reach somebody, resonate with somebody, message about, message of, message to | send a signal, receive a signal, clear signal, mixed signal, non-verbal signal |
| Antonyms | silence, quiet | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'massage' — they sound similar but have different meanings., Using 'message' as a verb incorrectly; it is primarily a noun., Saying 'sent a message' instead of 'sent a text' in casual contexts. | Confusing with 'That was not the sign', which is less specific., Using in overly formal contexts where simpler phrases would be better., Neglecting to specify what the signal was if implying context. |
| Usage notes | Used in both spoken and written communication. Can refer to text, email, or spoken communication. Avoid using in very formal contexts where more specific terms may be required. | This phrase is used when you want to indicate that something did not give a clear instruction or indication. It can be used in various contexts, such as communication or reactions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Message vs That was not the signal
What's the difference between Message and That was not the signal?
Message: A piece of information sent or received. That was not the signal: A sign that tells you to do something.
Which is more common: Message and That was not the signal?
Message is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Message: I received a message from my friend this morning. That was not the signal: When the light turned red, I realized that was not the signal to go.
Can I use Message and That was not the signal interchangeably?
Not always. Message and That was not the signal 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.