Pupil vs Student
What’s the difference between them?
Pupil
Meaning:
young learners who go to school.
Examples:
1. The teacher looked around the classroom to check the pupils were paying attention.
2. The pupils worked hard to prepare for their upcoming exams.
3. The school welcomed new pupils into the building for the start of the year.
Student
Meaning:
a person who is studying at a school, college, university, or other educational institution.
Examples:
1. The student studied diligently for her upcoming exam.
2. The student council held a meeting to discuss ways to improve the school.
3. The student achieved excellent grades in all of her classes.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Pupil
1. Student
2. Learner
3. Scholar
4. Apprentince
5. Disciples
1. Teacher
2. Educator
3. Mentor
4. Instructor
5. Perpetrator
Student
1. Pupil
2. Scholar
3. Learner
4. Knowledge-Seeker
5. Academic
1. Educator
2. Administrator
3. Teacher
4. Lecturer
5. Disobey/Defy/Contravene
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Pupil", "Student".
1. A pupil is a student in a school or educational institution.
2. Think of a pupil as someone who is still learning, under the guidance of a teacher in a school setting.
3. A student is a person who is attending an institution of higher education such as a college or university.
4. Think of a student as someone who is pursuing higher education, rather than learning in a school setting.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
The word 'pupil' is often used in educational contexts, such as when referring to a child attending school or a person receiving instruction from a teacher.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
The word 'student' is usually used to refer to someone who is enrolled in an educational institution, such as a college or university.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. Pupil is pronounced like 'pyoo-puhl' while student is pronounced like 'stuh-dent'.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake people make is confusing the two words and using them interchangeably. While they are both associated with education, they have different meanings and should be used accordingly.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. She teaches fourth grade, so all of her ________ are around nine years old.
2. During the lecture, the professor noticed that one of the ________ had fallen asleep.
3. Elementary schools are generally filled with young ________ eager to learn.
4. Its common for ________ to pull all-nighters before big exams in the university.
5. The parents met with the teacher to discuss their childs progress as a ________.
6. After graduating high school, he was excited to start his journey as a ________ at a prestigious university.
1. She teaches fourth grade, so all of her pupils are around nine years old.
Explanation: This sentence refers to young learners in the fourth grade, making pupil the correct term.
2. During the lecture, the professor noticed that one of the students had fallen asleep.
Explanation: The context is a lecture given by a professor, which suggests a college or university setting.
3. Elementary schools are generally filled with young pupils eager to learn.
Explanation: Elementary schools cater to younger learners, thus pupils is the suitable choice.
4. Its common for students to pull all-nighters before big exams in the university.
Explanation: The context indicates university exams, making students the appropriate term.
5. The parents met with the teacher to discuss their childs progress as a pupil.
Explanation: The mention of parents and teacher in the context of discussing a childs progress suggests a younger school-age learner.
6. After graduating high school, he was excited to start his journey as a student at a prestigious university.
Explanation: The individual is transitioning to a university, so student is the correct term to use.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.