What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
accrued
Example
The interest on my savings account has accrued over the past year. [accrued: verb]
Example
She has accrued a lot of knowledge and experience in her field over the years. [accrued: past participle]
Example
The company's debt has accrued due to poor financial management. [accrued: past tense]
accumulate
Example
He has accumulated a large collection of rare books over the years. [accumulate: verb]
Example
You can accumulate wealth by investing wisely and saving consistently. [accumulate: present tense]
Example
The detective accumulated enough evidence to make an arrest. [accumulated: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Accumulate is more commonly used than accrued in everyday language. Accumulate is a more versatile word that can be used in a wider range of contexts, while accrued is more specific and often used in formal or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between accrued and accumulate?
Accrued is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, while accumulate is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
