Cool MateReliable vs The system's stable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Reliable
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
The system's stable
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Reliable
| Reliable | The system's stable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈlaɪəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈlaɪəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðə ˈsɪstəmz ˈsteɪbəl//🇺🇸 //ðə ˈsɪstəmz ˈsteɪbəl// |
| Meaning | Someone or something you can trust to work well or be true. | The system is working without problems. |
| Example | You can always count on her; she is very reliable. | After the update, the system's stable now. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, prove, seem, extremely, fairly, very, as, be, prove, seem, extremely, fairly, very, as | system stability, remain stable, ensure stability, stable environment, stable operations |
| Antonyms | unreliable, inconsistent, untrustworthy | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'reliable' with a subject that can't be trusted., Confusing 'reliable' with 'reliant' which has a different meaning., Using 'reliable' to mean 'accurate' which is not the same. | 'Stable' confused with 'staple' (meaning basic or essential)., Incorrectly using 'stably' in place of 'stable' in sentences., Using 'stable' to describe changes that are actually volatile. |
| Usage notes | Use 'reliable' in contexts where you want to express trustworthiness. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings, but avoid it in overly casual speech. | Use 'stable' when discussing technology or systems that are reliable. Avoid in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Reliable vs The system's stable
What's the difference between Reliable and The system's stable?
Reliable: Someone or something you can trust to work well or be true. The system's stable: The system is working without problems.
Which is more common: Reliable and The system's stable?
Reliable is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Reliable: You can always count on her; she is very reliable. The system's stable: After the update, the system's stable now.
Can I use Reliable and The system's stable interchangeably?
Not always. Reliable and The system's stable 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.