What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
administer
Example
The nurse will administer the medication to the patient. [administer: verb]
Example
He was appointed to administer the company's finances. [administer: verb]
govern
Example
The president is responsible for governing the country. [govern: verb]
Example
The board of directors governs the policies of the company. [governs: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Govern is more commonly used than administer in political or governmental contexts, while administer is more commonly used in medical or organizational contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between administer and govern?
Govern is generally considered more formal than administer, as it is often used in political or legal contexts that require a higher level of formality and authority.
