What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
allaying
Example
The doctor tried allaying the patient's fears by explaining the procedure in detail. [allaying: verb]
Example
The teacher's kind words helped allay the student's anxiety about the upcoming test. [allay: past participle]
quell
Example
The police were able to quell the riot before it got out of control. [quell: verb]
Example
The principal's stern warning quelled the students' misbehavior in the classroom. [quelled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Allaying is more commonly used than quell in everyday language. Allaying is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while quell is less common and more formal.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between allaying and quell?
Quell is more formal than allaying and is typically used in more serious or professional contexts, such as news reports or official statements. Allaying is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
