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A1 noun #2,949 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

corner

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces corner en 30 secondes
Explication corner in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'corner' is a simple noun used to describe physical locations. You use it to talk about parts of a room ('The chair is in the corner') or to give basic directions ('The shop is on the corner'). It is one of the first words you learn to describe where things are. You might also see it in the context of basic shapes, like a square having four corners. The focus is on concrete, visible things that you can point to. Prepositions like 'in', 'on', and 'at' are the most important grammar points to practice with 'corner' at this stage. You don't need to worry about idioms yet; just focus on the physical world around you.
At the A2 level, you start to use 'corner' in more common phrases. You might learn 'around the corner' to describe something that is very close by ('The park is just around the corner'). You also begin to use it in sports contexts, like a 'corner kick' in soccer. You are becoming more comfortable with the difference between 'in the corner' (inside) and 'on the corner' (outside). You might also see 'corner' used as a verb for the first time in simple stories, such as 'The cat cornered the mouse.' This level is about expanding the basic physical definition into slightly more dynamic situations and common daily expressions.
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At the B1 level, you begin to encounter the metaphorical uses of 'corner'. You might hear the idiom 'to cut corners', which means to do something quickly or cheaply by ignoring rules or quality. You also learn 'to turn the corner', meaning to start improving after a difficult time. Your understanding of prepositions becomes more precise, and you can use 'corner' to describe more complex spatial arrangements. You might also use it in business contexts, like a 'corner shop' or a 'corner office'. At this stage, 'corner' is no longer just a physical point; it starts to represent ideas like quality, progress, and status.
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At the B2 level, you use 'corner' with more nuance and in more professional or academic settings. You might discuss 'cornering the market', which is a specific business term for gaining control over a supply of something. You are comfortable using 'corner' as a verb to describe both physical movement (how a car corners) and social situations (cornering someone for a conversation). You can understand and use more complex idioms like 'backed into a corner' to describe a high-pressure situation. Your vocabulary includes related words like 'nook', 'cranny', and 'intersection', and you know when to choose 'corner' over these alternatives for the best effect.
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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the subtle connotations of 'corner'. You recognize its use in literature to create atmosphere—for example, using 'dark corners' to imply mystery or danger. You can use the word in technical discussions, such as talking about the 'corner frequency' in electronics or 'corner cases' in software engineering (problems that only happen at the extreme ends of operating parameters). You use idioms involving 'corner' effortlessly and can even play with the word in puns or creative writing. You understand the historical and cultural significance of terms like 'the corner man' in boxing or 'cornerstone' in architecture and philosophy.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'corner' is complete. You can use it in highly specialized or abstract ways. You might use it to describe a 'corner' of your mind or a 'corner' of the universe, using the word to define boundaries of thought or existence. You understand the etymological roots and how they influence modern usage. You can distinguish between the most subtle differences in meaning, such as the difference between 'cornering' a person and 'sequestering' them. You are also aware of regional variations in how the word is used (e.g., British vs. American English). At this level, 'corner' is a versatile tool that you can use to express precise, complex ideas in any context.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

corner en 30 secondes

  • A corner is the physical point where two edges or streets meet to form an angle.
  • It can refer to the inside of a room or the outside of a building.
  • Metaphorically, it means to trap someone or to reach a turning point in a situation.
  • Common idioms include 'cutting corners' (saving time/money) and 'around the corner' (nearby).

The word corner is a fundamental spatial noun in English, primarily describing the point where two lines, edges, or surfaces converge. At its most basic level, it is the sharp or rounded angle formed by the meeting of two walls in a room, two streets in a city, or two sides of a geometric shape like a square or triangle. For a beginner (A1), the most common encounter with this word is in the context of physical locations—finding a shop at the end of a block or placing a chair in the corner of a bedroom.

Physical Intersection
The external point where two streets meet, often marked by a street sign or a building.
Interior Angle
The internal space created where two walls meet inside a structure.
Geometric Vertex
In mathematics, the point where the sides of a polygon meet.

"I'll meet you at the corner of 5th Avenue and Main Street at noon."

— Common directional usage

Beyond the physical, 'corner' expands into various abstract domains. In sports, specifically soccer (football), a 'corner kick' is a crucial tactical play. In business, 'cornering a market' refers to gaining enough control of a particular commodity to manipulate its price. In literature and daily speech, being 'backed into a corner' serves as a powerful metaphor for having no options left or being forced into a difficult position. This versatility makes it one of the most useful words in the English language, transitioning seamlessly from simple directions to complex economic theories.

"The cat is sleeping in the corner of the living room."

The word also carries a sense of secrecy or seclusion. A 'corner' can be a quiet, hidden spot away from the main action. Phrases like 'nooks and corners' suggest a thorough search of every hidden place. In urban environments, 'corner shops' are small, local convenience stores that serve as the heartbeat of a neighborhood, providing essential goods just a few steps away from residents' homes. Understanding 'corner' requires recognizing both its rigid geometric definitions and its soft, social connotations.

Social Hub
The 'corner shop' or 'corner bar' acts as a local meeting point for a community.
Metaphorical Pressure
To 'corner' someone means to force them into a place where they cannot escape or avoid a conversation.

"The reporter cornered the politician outside the courthouse for an interview."

Using 'corner' correctly involves mastering its prepositions and its role as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it functions as a location marker. When giving directions, it is almost always paired with 'at' or 'on'. For example, 'Turn left at the corner.' When describing the position of furniture, 'in' is the standard choice: 'The lamp is in the corner.' This distinction is vital for clear communication in both travel and interior design contexts.

Prepositional Usage
In the corner (inside a space); On/At the corner (outside, street level); Around the corner (nearby).
Verbal Usage
To corner (to trap); To corner (to turn a bend in a vehicle).

"The race car cornered beautifully at high speeds."

In idiomatic English, 'corner' is incredibly productive. 'Cutting corners' is a common phrase in professional environments, meaning to do something in the easiest, cheapest, or fastest way, often sacrificing quality or safety. Conversely, 'turning the corner' signifies passing a critical point in a difficult situation and starting to improve. For instance, a patient might be said to have 'turned the corner' after a long illness. These idioms are essential for reaching B2 and C1 levels of fluency, as they appear frequently in business news and literature.

Furthermore, the word appears in technical contexts. In boxing, a 'corner' refers to the angle of the ring where a fighter rests between rounds, and by extension, the team of trainers supporting them. In photography, 'corner shading' or 'vignetting' refers to the darkening of the edges of an image. In every case, the core concept remains the same: the edge, the limit, or the meeting point of two boundaries. Whether you are talking about a 'corner office' (a symbol of corporate success) or a 'corner kick', the word emphasizes the significance of the periphery.

You will hear 'corner' in a vast array of everyday situations. In a city, it is the most common word used for navigation. GPS systems frequently announce, 'In 200 feet, turn right at the corner.' In a domestic setting, parents might tell a child to 'go stand in the corner' as a form of time-out, or a decorator might suggest putting a 'corner sofa' in a small living room to maximize space. It is a word of practical utility and spatial organization.

"The bakery on the corner has the best croissants in town."

In the world of sports, 'corner' is a technical term. In soccer, the commentator will shout 'It's a corner!' when the ball goes out of play over the goal line. In boxing or MMA, the 'corner man' provides advice and medical care to the athlete. In these high-pressure environments, the 'corner' represents a brief sanctuary or a strategic starting point. Even in car reviews, journalists will discuss how well a vehicle 'handles the corners', referring to its stability while turning on winding roads.

In news and business, the word takes on a more aggressive tone. You might hear about a company 'cornering the market' on a new technology, which implies a monopoly. Political analysts might describe a candidate as being 'cornered' by a difficult question during a debate. In these contexts, 'corner' moves away from its physical roots and becomes a symbol of power, strategy, and entrapment. Whether it's a 'corner office' representing a promotion or 'cutting corners' representing a scandal, the word is deeply embedded in the vocabulary of success and failure.

The most frequent errors involving 'corner' are prepositional. Many learners confuse 'in the corner' and 'on the corner'. To avoid this, visualize the space. If you are inside a box or a room, you are in the corner. If you are standing where two sidewalks meet outside, you are on the corner (or at the corner). Saying 'I am in the corner of the street' sounds like you are physically stuck inside the pavement, which is incorrect.

Incorrect Preposition
Wrong: "The store is in the corner." (Unless it's inside a larger building's corner). Right: "The store is on the corner."
Misusing Idioms
Wrong: "He cut the corners of the paper." (This is literal). Right: "He cut corners on the project." (This is the idiom for doing a poor job).

"Don't cut corners when you are building a house; it needs to be safe."

Another common mistake is confusing 'corner' with 'angle'. While they are related, 'angle' is the mathematical measurement of the space between the lines, whereas 'corner' is the physical place where they meet. You wouldn't say 'The cat is sitting in the angle of the room.' Similarly, learners often forget that 'corner' can be a verb. Instead of saying 'He made the animal go into a corner,' you can simply say 'He cornered the animal.' Using the verb form makes your English sound more natural and advanced.

Finally, be careful with the phrase 'around the corner'. While it literally means just past the intersection, it is very frequently used figuratively to mean 'coming soon'. If you say 'The exam is around the corner,' you mean it is happening in a few days. Some learners take this too literally and look for a physical corner. Understanding this temporal use is a key step in moving from A2 to B1 proficiency.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that share the semantic space of 'corner'. Nook and cranny are often used together ('every nook and cranny') to describe small, hidden, or out-of-the-way corners. While a 'corner' is a general term, a 'nook' implies a cozy or sheltered corner, often one where you might sit and read. A 'cranny' is more like a small crack or narrow opening.

Intersection
A more formal word for where two streets meet, often used in traffic reports.
Vertex
The mathematical term for a corner in geometry.
Edge
The line where two surfaces meet, whereas the corner is the point where the edges meet.

"We searched every nook and cranny of the attic for the old keys."

In terms of verbs, trap and enclose are synonyms for the figurative meaning of 'corner'. If you 'corner' someone in a debate, you have 'trapped' them with logic. However, 'corner' is unique because it implies the person or thing has been forced into a specific, limited area from which there is no easy exit. Bend and curve are related to the physical act of 'cornering' in a vehicle, but 'cornering' specifically refers to the technique and stability of navigating that bend.

Lastly, consider the word juncture. While a corner is a physical meeting of lines, a juncture is a meeting of lines or a point in time. You might be at a 'critical juncture' in your life, which is similar to being 'at a corner' where you must choose a new direction. By comparing 'corner' to these synonyms, you can see how it serves as the foundation for a wide range of spatial, mathematical, and metaphorical concepts in English.

How Formal Is It?

Guide de prononciation

Rime avec
mourner warner

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Prepositions of place (in, on, at)

Transitive vs. Intransitive verbs

Compound nouns

Idiomatic phrasal verbs

Adjective placement

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Exemples par niveau

1

The cat is in the corner.

Le chat est dans le coin.

Use 'in' for the inside of a room.

2

Turn right at the corner.

Tournez à droite au coin.

Use 'at' for directions.

3

The shop is on the corner.

Le magasin est au coin.

Use 'on' for street locations.

4

A square has four corners.

Un carré a quatre coins.

Plural form 'corners'.

5

Put the table in the corner.

Mettez la table dans le coin.

Imperative sentence.

6

I see a spider in the corner.

Je vois une araignée dans le coin.

Subject-Verb-Object.

7

Wait for me at the corner.

Attends-moi au coin.

Prepositional phrase.

8

The ball is in the corner.

Le ballon est dans le coin.

Simple present tense.

1

The bus stop is just around the corner.

L'arrêt de bus est juste au coin.

'Around the corner' means nearby.

2

He kicked the ball into the corner.

Il a botté le ballon dans le coin.

Past tense 'kicked'.

3

The dog cornered the cat in the garden.

Le chien a coincé le chat dans le jardin.

'Cornered' as a verb.

4

I live in the house on the corner.

J'habite dans la maison au coin.

Definite article 'the'.

5

She sat in the far corner of the library.

Elle s'est assise dans le coin le plus éloigné.

Adjective 'far' modifies 'corner'.

6

The car turned the corner very fast.

La voiture a tourné le coin très vite.

Verb phrase 'turned the corner'.

7

There is a small corner shop near here.

Il y a une petite épicerie de quartier près d'ici.

Compound noun 'corner shop'.

8

Look in the top corner of the page.

Regardez dans le coin supérieur de la page.

Spatial adjective 'top'.

1

We shouldn't cut corners on safety.

Nous ne devrions pas faire d'économies sur la sécurité.

Idiom 'cut corners'.

2

The business has finally turned the corner.

L'entreprise a enfin remonté la pente.

Idiom 'turned the corner'.

3

He was backed into a corner during the meeting.

Il a été acculé pendant la réunion.

Passive voice 'was backed'.

4

The new sofa fits perfectly in the corner.

Le nouveau canapé s'adapte parfaitement dans le coin.

Adverb 'perfectly'.

5

She has a corner office with a great view.

Elle a un bureau d'angle avec une vue imprenable.

Adjective 'corner' modifying 'office'.

6

The team won a corner in the last minute.

L'équipe a obtenu un corner à la dernière minute.

Sports terminology.

7

He cornered me in the hallway to talk.

Il m'a coincé dans le couloir pour parler.

Transitive verb usage.

8

Spring is just around the corner.

Le printemps est à nos portes.

Figurative use of 'around the corner'.

1

They are trying to corner the market in lithium.

Ils essaient de monopoliser le marché du lithium.

Business idiom 'corner the market'.

2

The car corners exceptionally well on wet roads.

La voiture prend les virages exceptionnellement bien.

Intransitive verb usage.

3

I've searched every nook and corner of this house.

J'ai cherché dans tous les recoins de cette maison.

Phrase 'nook and corner'.

4

The boxer retreated to his corner after the round.

Le boxeur s'est retiré dans son coin après le round.

Specific sports context.

5

The witness was cornered by the lawyer's questions.

Le témoin a été coincé par les questions de l'avocat.

Metaphorical entrapment.

6

The building features a unique rounded corner.

Le bâtiment présente un coin arrondi unique.

Descriptive noun phrase.

7

Don't corner yourself into a decision you'll regret.

Ne vous acculez pas à une décision que vous regretterez.

Reflexive verb usage.

8

The thief was cornered in a dead-end alley.

Le voleur a été coincé dans une impasse.

Past participle as adjective.

1

The policy was a cornerstone of his campaign.

Cette politique était la pierre angulaire de sa campagne.

Compound word 'cornerstone'.

2

The artist focused on the dark corners of the human psyche.

L'artiste s'est concentré sur les recoins sombres de la psyché humaine.

Abstract metaphorical use.

3

We need to investigate every corner of the financial report.

Nous devons examiner chaque recoin du rapport financier.

Metaphor for thoroughness.

4

The suspect was finally cornered after a high-speed chase.

Le suspect a finalement été coincé après une poursuite à grande vitesse.

Narrative climax usage.

5

The software handles corner cases very robustly.

Le logiciel gère les cas limites de manière très robuste.

Technical term 'corner cases'.

6

He has a quiet corner in the garden where he meditates.

Il a un coin tranquille dans le jardin où il médite.

Connotation of sanctuary.

7

The economy is showing signs of turning the corner.

L'économie montre des signes de redressement.

Economic idiom.

8

She cornered the CEO for a quick word about her project.

Elle a coincé le PDG pour dire un mot sur son projet.

Social maneuvering.

1

The novel explores the dusty corners of forgotten history.

Le roman explore les recoins poussiéreux de l'histoire oubliée.

Evocative literary usage.

2

By cornering the supply of rare minerals, they dictated global prices.

En monopolisant l'approvisionnement en minéraux rares, ils ont dicté les prix mondiaux.

Gerund phrase as subject.

3

He felt cornered by the weight of his own expectations.

Il se sentait acculé par le poids de ses propres attentes.

Internal psychological state.

4

The architect utilized the sharp corners to create a sense of tension.

L'architecte a utilisé les angles vifs pour créer un sentiment de tension.

Aesthetic analysis.

5

The investigation left no corner unturned in the search for truth.

L'enquête n'a négligé aucun recoin dans la recherche de la vérité.

Variation of 'no stone unturned'.

6

The cat's eyes glowed from the dark corner of the barn.

Les yeux du chat brillaient dans le coin sombre de la grange.

Descriptive imagery.

7

The company’s attempt to corner the market backfired spectacularly.

La tentative de l'entreprise de monopoliser le marché a échoué de manière spectaculaire.

Complex sentence structure.

8

In every corner of the globe, people are fighting for freedom.

Aux quatre coins du monde, les gens se battent pour la liberté.

Idiomatic 'every corner of the globe'.

Synonymes

angle bend intersection junction nook

Collocations courantes

street corner
room corner
corner shop
corner office
corner kick
sharp corner
far corner
bottom corner
around the corner
cut corners

Phrases Courantes

on the corner
in the corner
around the corner
from every corner
just around the corner
the four corners of the earth
a corner of my eye
out of the corner of my eye
tucked away in a corner
a quiet corner

Souvent confondu avec

corner vs angle

corner vs edge

corner vs intersection

Expressions idiomatiques

"cut corners"
"turn the corner"
"back someone into a corner"
"corner the market"
"paint oneself into a corner"
"fight your corner"
"in your corner"
"around the corner"
"the four corners of the world"
"hole-and-corner"

Facile à confondre

corner vs

corner vs

corner vs

corner vs

corner vs

Structures de phrases

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Comment l'utiliser

sports

A 'corner' in soccer is a restart of play.

metaphor

'Cornering the market' is specifically for commodities or stocks.

prepositions

'In' is for three-dimensional interior spaces; 'On' is for two-dimensional exterior intersections.

Erreurs courantes
  • Using 'in' for a street corner (e.g., 'I am in the corner of the street').
  • Confusing 'corner' with 'angle' in mathematical contexts.
  • Using 'cut corners' to mean literally cutting paper.
  • Forgetting that 'corner' can be a verb.
  • Saying 'at the corner of the room' instead of 'in the corner'.

Astuces

Preposition Choice

Remember: 'In' for rooms, 'On' for streets. This is the most common mistake for learners. Practice by describing your own house. 'The TV is in the corner of the room.'

Idiom Power

Learn 'cut corners' and 'turn the corner' together. One is usually negative, and the other is positive. This helps you remember both. 'Don't cut corners if you want to turn the corner!'

Directional Fluency

When giving directions, use 'at the corner'. It sounds more natural than 'at the intersection'. 'Turn left at the corner of 5th and Main.' It's simple and clear.

Descriptive Detail

Use 'nook' for a cozy corner. It adds more flavor to your writing. 'I found a cozy nook in the library.' This is better than just saying 'corner'.

Sports Context

Listen for 'corner' in sports commentary. It's a very specific use. In soccer, it's a kick; in boxing, it's a place. Knowing the sport helps you understand the meaning.

Verb Usage

Try using 'corner' as a verb to describe social situations. 'I cornered him at the party.' It sounds very advanced. It implies you made sure they couldn't leave the conversation.

Corner Shops

Understand that 'corner shop' implies a small, local business. It's a very common term in the UK and Australia. It's different from a large supermarket. It has a friendly, local feel.

Corner Office

Use 'corner office' when talking about career goals. 'I'm working hard for that corner office.' It's a common metaphor for a promotion. It shows you understand corporate culture.

Around the Corner

Use 'around the corner' for time, not just space. 'Summer is around the corner.' It's a great way to talk about the future. It sounds very optimistic.

Cutting Corners

Always use 'cut corners' in a cautionary way. 'We can't afford to cut corners on this project.' It emphasizes the importance of quality. It's a strong professional phrase.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'C' shape. The points where the curve would meet a straight line are the corners.

Origine du mot

Middle English, from Anglo-French 'cornere', from 'corne' (horn, corner), from Latin 'cornu' (horn).

Contexte culturel

Commonly refers to a small local grocery store as a 'corner shop'.

Often used in the context of 'street corners' as places for social gathering or business.

Crucial in soccer (football) and boxing culture.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"Is there a good corner shop near your house?"

"Have you ever felt backed into a corner at work?"

"What's in the corner of your living room right now?"

"Do you think it's okay to cut corners to finish a project faster?"

"Who is always in your corner when you need help?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe a quiet corner where you like to spend time.

Write about a time you turned the corner in a difficult situation.

Discuss the pros and cons of cutting corners in your studies.

Imagine you are cornered by a wild animal. What do you do?

What does the 'corner office' represent to you?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It depends on the context. Use 'in the corner' for the inside of a room or a box. Use 'on the corner' for the outside where two streets meet. Both are correct but describe different locations. For example, 'The lamp is in the corner' vs 'The shop is on the corner'.

It is an idiom that means to do something in a way that saves time or money but often results in lower quality. For example, a builder might cut corners by using cheap materials. This is usually seen as a negative thing. It implies laziness or lack of care.

Yes, 'corner' can be a verb. It means to force a person or animal into a place where they cannot escape. It can also mean to turn a corner in a vehicle. For example, 'The police cornered the suspect' or 'The car corners well'.

A corner office is an office located at the corner of a building, usually having windows on two sides. It is often given to high-ranking employees. It is a symbol of success and status in a company. It provides more light and a better view than other offices.

In soccer, a corner kick is a way to restart play. It is awarded to the attacking team when the ball leaves the field over the goal line after being touched by a defending player. The ball is kicked from the corner of the field. It is a great scoring opportunity.

Literally, it means just past the corner of a street. Figuratively, it means that something is going to happen very soon. For example, 'The holidays are around the corner' means they are coming soon. It is a very common expression.

This is a business term. It means buying enough of a product or stock to control its price. If you corner the market, you have a monopoly. This allows you to sell the product at a much higher price. It is often illegal in many countries.

A cornerstone is a stone at the corner of a building's foundation. It is the most important stone. Figuratively, it means the most important part of something. For example, 'Trust is the cornerstone of a good relationship'.

Yes, 'corner' is a countable noun. You can have one corner, two corners, or many corners. For example, 'A triangle has three corners'. The plural form is simply 'corners'.

You can use it as a noun: 'The cat is in the corner.' You can use it as a verb: 'The dog cornered the cat.' You can also use it in idioms: 'Don't cut corners.' It is a very flexible word.

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