Sacrifice vs Yield

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

Sacrifice

Top 2,000 (common)C1noun

Yield

Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
 SacrificeYield
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈsækrɪfaɪs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsækrɪfaɪs/"]/🇬🇧 /["/jiːld/"]/🇺🇸 /["/jiːld/"]/
Meaningto give up something for a purpose or someone else's benefitTo give up or let someone else have something.
ExampleThe makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality.a high crop yield
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelC1C1
Part of speechnounnoun
Collocationsbig, considerable, enormous, be, make, involve, animal, human, pagan, perform, offer (something as), sacrifice togood, high, low, produce, jump, rise, decline
Antonymsgain, keep, retainwithhold, retain, deny
Common mistakesConfused with 'sacrifice' as a noun vs. verb, Using 'sacrifice' without an object (incorrect usage), Mixing up with similar words like 'offer' or 'give' inappropriatelyConfused with 'ield' which is not a word., Used in passive voice incorrectly (e.g., 'was yielded' instead of 'was yielded to')., Mixing up with 'yielding' which refers to being flexible or submissive.
Usage notesUsed in contexts where someone gives up something important to achieve a greater goal. Generally neutral, but can be formal when discussing serious topics. Avoid informal contexts like casual conversations.Commonly used in both formal and neutral contexts. Often refers to giving way in a discussion, negotiation, or traffic situations. It's less appropriate in casual or slang conversations.

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Sacrifice
Yield

Frequently asked questions: Sacrifice vs Yield

What's the difference between Sacrifice and Yield?

Sacrifice: to give up something for a purpose or someone else's benefit Yield: To give up or let someone else have something.

Are Sacrifice and Yield the same CEFR level?

Sacrifice: C1, Yield: C1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Sacrifice and Yield?

Sacrifice: noun, Yield: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Sacrifice: The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. Yield: a high crop yield

Can I use Sacrifice and Yield interchangeably?

Not always. Sacrifice and Yield 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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