Take my word vs Trust me
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Take my word
Top 3,000 (common)
Trust me
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Trust me
| Take my word | Trust me | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //teɪk maɪ wɜːd//🇺🇸 //teɪk maɪ wɜrd// | 🇬🇧 //trʌst miː//🇺🇸 //trʌst mi// |
| Meaning | Believe what I say. | Believe what I say. |
| Example | If I say it's going to rain, take my word for it. | If you follow my advice, trust me, you’ll succeed. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | take someone's word, take your word seriously, take my word for it | trust me on this, trust me, it's true, just trust me |
| Common mistakes | Using it in very formal situations., Not using it as a complete phrase., Confusing it with 'take my advice'. | Using it too seriously in formal contexts., Misplacing emphasis, making it sound insincere., Confusing it with 'believe me'. |
| Usage notes | Used informally to encourage someone to trust you. Avoid in formal writing or serious discussions. | Use this phrase to assure someone of your honesty. Avoid in formal situations; it’s more effective in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Take my word vs Trust me
What's the difference between Take my word and Trust me?
Take my word: Believe what I say. Trust me: Believe what I say.
Which is more common: Take my word and Trust me?
Trust me is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Take my word: If I say it's going to rain, take my word for it. Trust me: If you follow my advice, trust me, you’ll succeed.
Can I use Take my word and Trust me interchangeably?
Not always. Take my word and Trust me 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.