Tolerate vs Withstand: When To Use Each One In Writing?

When it comes to the words “tolerate” and “withstand,” many people may use them interchangeably. However, there are distinct differences between the two that are important to understand.

Firstly, “tolerate” is the proper word to use when referring to putting up with something that is unpleasant or difficult. It means to endure or bear without protest or retaliation. On the other hand, “withstand” means to resist or endure a force or pressure. It is used to describe the ability to withstand a physical or emotional challenge.

While these two words may seem similar, understanding their differences can help you use them more effectively in your writing and communication. In this article, we will delve deeper into the meanings of these two words and explore how they can be used in different contexts.

Define Tolerate

Tolerate is a verb that means to allow or endure something that is unpleasant or challenging without reacting negatively or taking action to stop it. It is often used in the context of accepting or putting up with something that one does not necessarily agree with or like.

Define Withstand

Withstand, on the other hand, is a verb that means to resist or endure something that is difficult, challenging, or potentially damaging. It implies a level of strength or resilience in the face of adversity, and often involves actively fighting against or standing up to something that is trying to overcome or defeat you.

While both tolerate and withstand involve enduring something unpleasant or challenging, withstand implies a more active and forceful response, whereas tolerate suggests a passive acceptance or endurance of the situation.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Choosing the right word to express your thoughts can be challenging. The English language is full of words that may seem interchangeable, but in reality, they have different meanings. Two of these words are “tolerate” and “withstand.” In this section, we will explore how to use these words correctly in a sentence.

How To Use “Tolerate” In A Sentence

The word “tolerate” means to endure or put up with something that is unpleasant or undesirable. Here are some examples of how to use “tolerate” in a sentence:

• She couldn’t tolerate the noise coming from the construction site next door.
• He had to tolerate his boss’s constant criticism in order to keep his job.
• The medicine helped her tolerate the pain from her injury.

When using “tolerate” in a sentence, it’s important to remember that it implies a level of discomfort or unpleasantness. It’s not a word you would use to describe something you enjoy or find pleasant.

How To Use “Withstand” In A Sentence

The word “withstand” means to resist or endure something that is challenging or difficult. Here are some examples of how to use “withstand” in a sentence:

• The bridge was built to withstand strong winds and heavy rain.
• She was able to withstand the pressure of the intense competition.
• The house was able to withstand the earthquake without sustaining any damage.

When using “withstand” in a sentence, it’s important to remember that it implies a level of strength or resilience. It’s not a word you would use to describe something that is easily overcome.

By understanding the differences between “tolerate” and “withstand,” you can use these words correctly in your writing and avoid any confusion or misinterpretation.

More Examples Of Tolerate & Withstand Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how the words “tolerate” and “withstand” can be used in sentences. Both words are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings that should be understood to use them correctly.

Examples Of Using Tolerate In A Sentence

• She could not tolerate the sound of nails scratching on a chalkboard.
• The patient’s body could not tolerate the medication, and he had an adverse reaction.
• He had to tolerate his boss’s constant micromanaging to keep his job.
• She could not tolerate the cold weather and always wore multiple layers.
• The school had a zero-tolerance policy for bullying.
• He had to tolerate the long commute to work every day.
• She could not tolerate the spicy food and always ordered mild dishes.
• The company had to tolerate a loss in profits during the pandemic.
• He could not tolerate the thought of being alone and always surrounded himself with people.
• She had to tolerate her neighbor’s loud music late at night.

Examples Of Using Withstand In A Sentence

• The building was able to withstand the strong winds of the hurricane.
• He was able to withstand the pain of the intense workout and push through it.
• The bridge was built to withstand heavy traffic and loads.
• She was able to withstand the pressure of the high-stakes job interview.
• The company was able to withstand the economic recession due to its diverse portfolio.
• The athlete’s body was able to withstand the rigors of the intense training regimen.
• The tent was able to withstand the heavy rain and wind during the camping trip.
• He was able to withstand the criticism and negative feedback from his peers.
• The material was able to withstand high temperatures without melting or deforming.
• The tree was able to withstand the harsh winter weather and continue to grow.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words tolerate and withstand, people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these words have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using Tolerate When Withstand Is Appropriate

One common mistake is using tolerate when withstand is the appropriate word to use. Tolerate means to endure or put up with something, while withstand means to resist or hold out against something. For example, saying “I can tolerate the cold weather” implies that you can deal with it, but saying “I can withstand the cold weather” implies that you are able to resist the effects of the cold weather.

Using Withstand When Tolerate Is Appropriate

On the other hand, using withstand when tolerate is the appropriate word to use is also a common mistake. Tolerate is used when you are able to put up with something, while withstand is used when you are able to resist something. For example, saying “I can tolerate spicy food” implies that you can handle the spiciness, but saying “I can withstand spicy food” implies that you are able to resist the effects of the spiciness.

Offering Tips On How To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, it’s important to understand the difference between tolerate and withstand. One way to do this is to look up the definitions of both words and compare them. Additionally, it’s helpful to practice using both words in context to get a better feel for when to use each one. Finally, if you’re unsure which word to use, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and choose the word that you are more confident in.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “tolerate” and “withstand” can depend on the context in which they are used. The decision to use one word over the other can have a significant impact on the meaning of the sentence.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a closer look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “tolerate” and “withstand” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Word Choice
Physical Endurance	He was able to ________ the extreme heat during the marathon.	Withstand
Emotional Resilience	She could not ________ the constant criticism from her boss.	Tolerate
Environmental Conditions	The bridge was designed to ________ earthquakes up to a magnitude of 8.0.	Withstand
Social Situations	He could not ________ the loud music at the party.	Tolerate

In the context of physical endurance or environmental conditions, “withstand” is the appropriate word choice. These situations involve physical strength and resilience. On the other hand, in the context of emotional resilience or social situations, “tolerate” is the better choice. These situations involve mental or social endurance.

It’s important to consider the context when choosing between “tolerate” and “withstand” to ensure the intended meaning is conveyed clearly.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using tolerate and withstand are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind. Here are some cases where the rules might not apply:

1. Contextual Usage

In some contexts, the use of tolerate and withstand may not be interchangeable. For example, in medical terminology, withstand is often used to describe a patient’s ability to resist or endure a particular treatment or condition, while tolerate is used to describe a patient’s ability to withstand a particular medication or substance.

Another example is in the context of natural disasters. While both tolerate and withstand can be used to describe a person’s ability to endure a disaster, withstand is often used to describe a building’s ability to withstand the force of a hurricane or earthquake.

2. Regional Differences

There may be regional differences in the usage of tolerate and withstand. For example, in British English, tolerate is often used to describe a person’s ability to put up with something unpleasant, while withstand is used to describe a person’s ability to resist or endure something difficult.

On the other hand, in American English, tolerate is often used to describe a person’s ability to endure something difficult, while withstand is used to describe a person’s ability to resist or endure something challenging.

3. Idiomatic Expressions

There are some idiomatic expressions where the use of tolerate and withstand is fixed and cannot be interchanged. For example, the expression “cannot tolerate” is often used to describe a person’s strong dislike or aversion to something, while the expression “cannot withstand” is often used to describe a person’s inability to resist or endure something.

Another example is the expression “stand the test of time,” which means to endure or withstand the challenges of time and remain relevant or effective over a long period.

4. Technical Jargon

In some technical jargon, the use of tolerate and withstand may have specific meanings that differ from their general usage. For example, in engineering, tolerate is often used to describe the acceptable range of variation in a measurement or specification, while withstand is used to describe the ability of a material or component to resist or endure a particular force or stress.

Similarly, in computer science, tolerate is often used to describe the ability of a system or application to handle errors or exceptions, while withstand is used to describe the ability of a system or application to resist or endure attacks or malicious activity.

While the rules for using tolerate and withstand are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind. These exceptions include contextual usage, regional differences, idiomatic expressions, and technical jargon. By being aware of these exceptions, you can use tolerate and withstand more effectively and accurately in your writing and communication.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have a better understanding of the differences between “tolerate” and “withstand,” it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these two words:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank in each of the following sentences:

1. The building was able to _________ the earthquake without sustaining any damage.
2. I can’t ____________ the sound of nails on a chalkboard.
3. Despite the criticism, the politician continued to ____________ the scrutiny.
4. She was able to ____________ the pain of the tattoo needle.

Answer Key:

1. withstand
2. tolerate
3. withstand
4. tolerate

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete each sentence with the correct form of “tolerate” or “withstand”:

1. My new boots are so comfortable, I can ____________ them all day.
2. The old bridge was not able to ____________ the weight of the truck.
3. She couldn’t ____________ the pain any longer and asked for a break.
4. He was able to ____________ the cold weather with his warm jacket.

Answer Key:

1. tolerate
2. withstand
3. tolerate
4. withstand

By completing these exercises, you’ll be able to improve your understanding of when to use “tolerate” and “withstand” in sentences. Keep practicing and soon you’ll be using these words with confidence!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the proper use of language and grammar is crucial in effective communication. This article has highlighted the differences between the words tolerate and withstand, and how they can be misused. It is important to understand the nuances of language in order to convey the intended message accurately.

Key takeaways from this article include:

• Tolerate and withstand have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately.
• Grammar and language use can impact the clarity and effectiveness of communication.
• Continued learning and practice can improve language skills.

Encouraging readers to continue learning about grammar and language use can greatly benefit their communication skills. There are many resources available, such as grammar books, online courses, and writing workshops. By investing time and effort into improving language skills, individuals can enhance their professional and personal relationships.