- Do you ever feel unsure whether to “give a share” or simply “share” something with a friend?
- Have you heard phrases like “the lion’s share” and wondered what animal metaphors have to do with business?
- Are you looking for the exact prepositions to use after “share” to sound more like a native speaker?
Mastering share collocations is a vital step toward English fluency. In English, we don’t just use words in isolation; we use them in “blocks” or partnerships. Understanding how “share” functions as both a verb and a noun allows you to express everything from business statistics to personal emotions with confidence and precision. This guide will help you reduce language anxiety by providing clear, modern patterns used by native speakers today.
Common Collocations with SHARE as a Verb
As a verb, “share” is dynamic. It describes the act of giving a portion of something to others or using something simultaneously with someone else. Here are the most common groupings based on modern usage.
1. Sharing Information and Digital Content
In the age of social media and global communication, these are the most frequent collocations you will encounter.
- Share a link: “Could you share a link to the article in the chat?”
- Share a secret: “I’m only going to share this secret with you, so please keep it quiet.”
- Share an update: “The manager will share an update regarding the project tomorrow.”
- Share your thoughts: “We would love for you to share your thoughts on the new design.”
2. Sharing Physical Space and Resources
These collocations describe the physical act of dividing or co-using space and items.
- Share an apartment/room: “To save money on rent, I share an apartment with two colleagues.”
- Share a meal: “There is nothing better than sharing a meal with family during the holidays.”
- Share a ride: “We can share a ride to the conference since we live in the same neighborhood.”
- Share a taxi: “Do you want to share a taxi to the airport?”
3. Adverbs Used with the Verb Share
Adverbs tell us how the sharing is being done. These are essential for adding nuance to your sentences.
- Share equally: “The inheritance was shared equally among the four siblings.”
- Share generously: “She shared her knowledge generously with the new interns.”
- Share widely: “The news of the discovery was shared widely across all scientific journals.”
Essential Collocations using SHARE as a Noun
When “share” is used as a noun, it often refers to a specific portion of something or a financial stake in a company. Understanding these helps in professional and academic settings.
1. Business and Financial Shares
These terms are critical for anyone working in finance, marketing, or general business.
- Market share: “Our company is working hard to increase its market share in Europe.”
- Majority share: “The tech giant recently acquired a majority share in the startup.”
- Share prices: “Investors are worried because share prices have been volatile this week.”
2. Portions and Responsibilities
These collocations describe how much of a task or a situation belongs to a specific person.
- Fair share: “I’ve had my fair share of problems with this old car.” (Meaning: a reasonable or expected amount).
- The lion’s share: “The charity received the lion’s share of the donations.” (Meaning: the largest part of something).
- A share of the blame: “Everyone involved must accept their share of the blame for the mistake.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Share a secret | Verb Phrase | To tell someone private information. |
| Market share | Noun Phrase | The percentage of a market controlled by a company. |
| Share equally | Verb + Adverb | To divide something into the same sized portions. |
| Lion’s share | Noun Phrase | The biggest portion of something. |
| Share a ride | Verb Phrase | To travel together in one vehicle. |
| Fair share | Noun Phrase | A proportional or significant amount. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Learners often translate directly from their native language, leading to “heavy” or awkward phrasing. Use the table below to sound more natural.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I want to divide a secret with you. | I want to share a secret with you. |
| He has the biggest share of the cake. | He has the lion’s share of the cake. |
| We make a share of the apartment. | We share an apartment. |
| Can you share to me the link? | Can you share the link with me? |
“In today’s meeting, our CEO shared an update regarding our Q3 earnings. While we have increased our market share by 5%, we still need to share the workload more effectively across departments. It isn’t fair that the marketing team takes the lion’s share of the responsibility while others share the rewards without the same effort.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Share Collocations
Is it “share with” or “share to”?
In most traditional contexts, we share something with someone (e.g., “I shared my lunch with him”). However, in digital contexts, you might hear “share to” a platform (e.g., “Share this post to Facebook”). For people, always use “with.”
What does “to have a share in something” mean?
This usually means to have a legal or financial interest in a business or project, or to be partly responsible for a particular outcome.
Can “share” be used for negative things?
Yes. You can share the blame, share the burden, or share your concerns. It is not limited to positive things like food or secrets.
What is the difference between “share” and “divide”?
“Divide” focuses on the physical separation of parts (e.g., “Divide the paper in half”). “Share” focuses on the social act of giving or using together (e.g., “Share the paper with your classmate”).
Is “share” a countable or uncountable noun?
It is countable. You can own “ten shares” in a company or say that there are “several shares of the profit” to be distributed.
I've noticed that when native speakers talk fast, these collocations just flow out. Learning them as blocks really helps with both listening comprehension and speaking naturally. Thanks for the tip!
In many cultures, sharing food is a very big deal. Does the English 'share' also carry that warm, communal feeling sometimes, or is it purely transactional?
What a beautiful question, Priti! Absolutely, 'share' can carry that warm, communal feeling. When you 'share a meal' or 'share a moment,' it often implies closeness, generosity, and community, much like in your culture. It's not purely transactional; it often involves emotional connection as well. Thanks for bringing up this lovely nuance!
The article focused a lot on 'share' as a verb. Could you quickly give an example or two of 'share' as a noun in a common context, besides the 'lion's share'?
Excellent point, Linus! As a noun, 'share' refers to a portion of something. For instance, 'He always takes his fair share of the work' or 'We each contributed our share to the potluck.' In business, 'a share' also refers to a unit of ownership in a company (stock). It's all about the 'portion' or 'part' concept!
Could you do a similar article for other tricky verbs like 'make' or 'do'? I always mix those up too!
Fantastic resource! Straight to the point and very practical. Keep up the great work, Translateen!
Thanks so much, David! We're glad you found it practical. Your encouragement means a lot to our team!
This article is very clear! For more formal or academic writing, are there specific collocations with 'share' (as a noun or verb) that are preferred, or are the ones mentioned applicable across the board?
What's the subtle difference between 'share' and 'divide'? Sometimes they seem interchangeable, but I feel there's a nuance.
That's a great observation, Anya! While similar, 'divide' often implies a more formal or mathematical separation into parts, not necessarily giving them away, e.g., 'Divide 10 by 2.' 'Share' implies both dividing and distributing those parts, often with a sense of giving or allowing others to use something, e.g., 'Share the cake with your friends.' You can divide without sharing, but sharing usually involves some form of division!
I really liked the concept of words being used in 'blocks' or partnerships. It makes so much sense! Is this what collocations truly mean?
Exactly, Omar! You've perfectly grasped the essence of collocations. They are indeed words that naturally go together, forming these 'blocks' that native speakers instinctively use. Learning them as units, rather than individual words, is a highly effective fluency strategy!
I used to always say 'I will sharing this' instead of 'I will share this.' This article helped me realize the difference and correct my common mistake. Thank you!
You're very welcome, Yuki! Recognizing and correcting common mistakes like 'I will sharing' (which should be 'I will share' or 'I am sharing') is a fantastic sign of progress. Keep an eye on those verb forms; consistent practice makes perfect!
Beyond 'the lion's share,' are there other common idioms or fixed expressions with 'share' that are good to know for advanced learners?
Absolutely, Ricardo! For advanced learners, you might encounter 'share and share alike' (meaning to divide something equally), 'to share a laugh' (to laugh together), or 'to share one's thoughts' (to express opinions). These add great color to your English!