Power vs This has more grunt

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Power

Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun

This has more grunt

InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: PowerMost common: Power
 PowerThis has more grunt
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈpaʊə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpaʊər/"]/🇬🇧 //ðɪs hæz mɔː ɡrʌnt//🇺🇸 //ðɪs hæz mɔr ɡrʌnt//
MeaningThe ability to do something or to control people or things.This is more powerful or effective.
ExampleThe power of the wind can generate electricity.This new engine has more grunt compared to the old model.
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelA2-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsabsolute, ultimate, considerable, come to, rise to, assume, be concentrated in (the hands of somebody/​something), flow from somebody/​something, lie with somebody/​something, struggle, relations, structure, in power, in somebody’s power, power of, abuse of power, the balance of power, a bid for power, absolute, ultimate, considerable, come to, rise to, assume, be concentrated in (the hands of somebody/​something), flow from somebody/​something, lie with somebody/​something, struggle, relations, structure, in power, in somebody’s power, power of, abuse of power, the balance of power, a bid for power, full, reduced, electric, generate, produce, provide (somebody/​something with), drive something, run something, go off, cable, grid, line, power for, a source of power, full, reduced, electric, generate, produce, provide (somebody/​something with), drive something, run something, go off, cable, grid, line, power for, a source of power, awesome, great, real, awesome, great, real, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/​something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/​something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/​something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, absolute, ultimate, considerable, come to, rise to, assume, be concentrated in (the hands of somebody/​something), flow from somebody/​something, lie with somebody/​something, struggle, relations, structure, in power, in somebody’s power, power of, abuse of power, the balance of power, a bid for power, great, major, world, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/​something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, air, combat, military, have, possess, use, beyond somebody/​something’s power, in somebody’s power, within somebody’s power, at the height of your powers, at the peak of your powers, at the zenith of your powers, absolute, ultimate, considerable, come to, rise to, assume, be concentrated in (the hands of somebody/​something), flow from somebody/​something, lie with somebody/​something, struggle, relations, structure, in power, in somebody’s power, power of, abuse of power, the balance of power, a bid for powerhave more grunt, more grunt power, engine grunt, get more grunt, need more grunt
Antonymsweakness, ineffectiveness-
Common mistakes'Power' as a verb — learners often mistakenly use 'power' when they mean to say 'empower'., Confusing 'power' with 'might', as they have different nuances., Misusing 'power' in phrases, e.g., 'the power of' requires a specified noun.Confused with 'grunt' as in a low sound or noise., Misused in formal contexts where a more serious expression is required.
Usage notesUsed in both formal and informal contexts. In discussions about politics or leadership, 'power' often has a weighty connotation, while in casual settings it might refer to electricity or strength. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts when discussing serious topics.Used casually among friends or in informal settings. Not suitable for formal writing or speeches.

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Power
This has more grunt

Frequently asked questions: Power vs This has more grunt

What's the difference between Power and This has more grunt?

Power: The ability to do something or to control people or things. This has more grunt: This is more powerful or effective.

Which is more formal: Power and This has more grunt?

Power is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Power and This has more grunt?

Power is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Power: The power of the wind can generate electricity. This has more grunt: This new engine has more grunt compared to the old model.

Can I use Power and This has more grunt interchangeably?

Not always. Power and This has more grunt 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.

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