Robust vs The trees are strong

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

Robust

Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective

The trees are strong

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Robust
 RobustThe trees are strong
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/rəʊˈbʌst/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rəʊˈbʌst/"]/🇬🇧 //ðə triːz ɑː strɒŋ//🇺🇸 //ðə triz ɑr strɔŋ//
Meaningstrong and healthy; able to withstand stress or pressureThe trees are very sturdy and healthy.
ExampleShe was almost 90, but still very robust.In a storm, the trees are strong enough to withstand the winds.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelC1-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsrobust economy, robust discussion, robust flavor, robust health, robust solutionstrong oak trees, strong tree roots, strong branches, trees are strong
Antonymsfragile, weak, delicateweak, fragile
Common mistakesConfused with 'robustly' - using the adverb in place of the adjective, Overusing in casual conversations where simpler words like 'strong' might be more appropriate, Confusing with 'robustness' and using it incorrectly in sentencesUsing 'strongly' instead of 'strong', Confusing with 'the tree is strong' when referring to multiple trees, Forgetting to use the plural form when discussing more than one tree
Usage notesUse 'robust' to describe things that are strong or effective in various contexts. It is often used in technical or academic discussions. Avoid using it for delicate or fragile subjects.Use in descriptive contexts about nature. Suitable for both casual and formal discussions.

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The trees are strong

Frequently asked questions: Robust vs The trees are strong

What's the difference between Robust and The trees are strong?

Robust: strong and healthy; able to withstand stress or pressure The trees are strong: The trees are very sturdy and healthy.

Which is more common: Robust and The trees are strong?

Robust is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Robust: She was almost 90, but still very robust. The trees are strong: In a storm, the trees are strong enough to withstand the winds.

Can I use Robust and The trees are strong interchangeably?

Not always. Robust and The trees are strong 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.