What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
collude
Example
The two companies colluded to fix prices and dominate the market. [colluded: past tense]
Example
The politicians were accused of colluding with foreign agents to influence the election. [colluding: present participle]
connive
Example
He connived with his friends to cheat on the exam. [connived: past tense]
Example
She was suspected of conniving with her colleagues to undermine her boss. [conniving: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Connive is more commonly used than collude in everyday language. Connive is versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while collude is less common and typically associated with more serious or criminal activities.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between collude and connive?
While both collude and connive can be used in both formal and informal contexts, collude is generally associated with a more formal tone due to its association with serious crimes or conspiracies.
