Cool MatePicture vs Picture that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Picture
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Picture that
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: PictureMost common: Picture
| Picture | Picture that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpɪktʃə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpɪktʃər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɪk.tʃər ðæt//🇺🇸 //ˈpɪk.tʃɚ ðæt// |
| Meaning | A drawing or photo that shows something. | Imagine something in your mind. |
| Example | Can you show me the picture you took at the beach? | When he described the beach, I could really **picture that** in my mind. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | beautiful, lovely, pretty, draw, paint, compose, depict something, show something, hang, frame, book, postcard, in a/the picture, picture of, beautiful, lovely, pretty, draw, paint, compose, depict something, show something, hang, frame, book, postcard, in a/the picture, picture of, compelling, dramatic, vivid, build, build up, construct, emerge, compelling, dramatic, vivid, build, build up, construct, emerge, compelling, dramatic, vivid, build, build up, construct, emerge, moving, live, satellite, moving, live, satellite | picture that moment, picture that scene, picture that idea, picture that event |
| Antonyms | reality, disbelief | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'picturing' instead of 'picture' in simple phrases., Confusing 'picture' with 'photo' when referring only to photographs., 'Picture' being used incorrectly as a verb without an object. | Using in formal writing or speeches., Misusing in serious contexts where imagery is inappropriate. |
| Usage notes | Use 'picture' when referring to images. Appropriate in most contexts, such as conversations about art or photography. Avoid using in very technical discussions where specific terms for images are required. | Use 'picture that' to suggest someone visualize or consider a scenario. It’s best in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Picture vs Picture that
What's the difference between Picture and Picture that?
Picture: A drawing or photo that shows something. Picture that: Imagine something in your mind.
Which is more formal: Picture and Picture that?
Picture is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Picture and Picture that?
Picture is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Picture: Can you show me the picture you took at the beach? Picture that: When he described the beach, I could really **picture that** in my mind.
Can I use Picture and Picture that interchangeably?
Not always. Picture and Picture that 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.