Meaning & use
different contexts
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
in various situations or surroundings that give words, actions, or events their meaning
Grammar: Used as a plural noun phrase; often follows 'in' or 'across': in different contexts, across different contexts.
Patterns
- in different contexts
- across different contexts
- used in different contexts
The same word can mean very different things in different contexts.
She has worked with children in many different contexts, from schools to hospitals.
The study compares how people apologize in different cultural contexts.
phrasefixed phrase
in various settings where something happens or is considered
Grammar: Refers to physical or social settings; often used after verbs like 'occur', 'apply', or 'behave'.
Patterns
- occur in different contexts
- apply in different contexts
- behave differently in different contexts
The rule applies in different contexts, not just in the classroom.
People behave differently in different social contexts.
The same technology can be used in different contexts, such as farming or medicine.
Common combinations
- in different contexts
- The word 'bank' has different meanings in different contexts.
- across different contexts
- The research looks at language learning across different contexts.
- a range of different contexts
- Teachers need to prepare students for a range of different contexts.
- in a variety of different contexts
- The phrase is used in a variety of different contexts.
Synonyms and how they differ
- in various settings
- Similar meaning, but 'settings' often refers to physical places or environments rather than the surrounding words or ideas.
- in different situations
- Close in meaning, but 'situations' focuses on what is happening rather than the background information that gives meaning.
Word family
- context noun
- The singular form: the situation or surrounding text that helps explain something.
- contextual adjective
- Relating to the context; e.g., contextual clues help you guess a word's meaning.
- contextually adverb
- In a way that relates to the context.
Commonly confused: different contexts or content? different contexts or contest?
different contexts vs content
Content means the ideas or information inside something, while context is the background that helps you understand it.
different contexts vs contest
Contest is a competition or struggle; context is the surrounding situation or words.
Practice
Choose the best completion: 'The same joke can be funny or offensive depending on the ___ it is told in.'
Choose one answer.
'Different contexts' fits because the sentence is about the situation in which a joke is told. 'Different shapes and sizes' is about physical forms, not social situations, so it does not fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “different contexts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.