Cool MateSurveillance vs Vigilance is the price of safety
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Surveillance
Vigilance is the price of safety
| Surveillance | Vigilance is the price of safety | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/sɜːˈveɪləns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/sɜːrˈveɪləns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈvɪdʒɪləns//🇺🇸 //ˈvɪdʒɪləns// |
| Meaning | Watching someone or something carefully, often to find out more information. | Staying alert helps keep you safe. |
| Example | The police are keeping the suspects **under** constant **surveillance**. | In a world full of dangers, vigilance is the price of safety. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | close, constant, regular, be under, keep somebody/something under, place somebody/something under, camera, device, equipment | require vigilance, maintain vigilance, demand vigilance, high vigilance, constant vigilance |
| Antonyms | ignorance, negligence, carelessness | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'surveil' (verb) and 'surveillance' (noun), Mispronunciation, often as 'sur-veal-lance' instead of 'sur-veil-lance', Overusing in informal settings where more casual terms could fit | Misunderstanding the meaning as just being cautious without awareness, Confusing 'vigilance' with 'vigil' which is a specific watch or ceremony, Using it in non-security contexts inappropriately |
| Usage notes | Used mainly in formal contexts such as law enforcement, security, and privacy discussions. Not appropriate in casual conversation. Can imply a sense of monitoring or intrusiveness. | Use in discussions about safety or security; appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Surveillance vs Vigilance is the price of safety
What's the difference between Surveillance and Vigilance is the price of safety?
Surveillance: Watching someone or something carefully, often to find out more information. Vigilance is the price of safety: Staying alert helps keep you safe.
Which is more formal: Surveillance and Vigilance is the price of safety?
Surveillance is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Surveillance: The police are keeping the suspects **under** constant **surveillance**. Vigilance is the price of safety: In a world full of dangers, vigilance is the price of safety.
Can I use Surveillance and Vigilance is the price of safety interchangeably?
Not always. Surveillance and Vigilance is the price of safety 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.