What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
amuse
Example
The comedian's jokes really amused the audience. [amused: verb]
Example
The children were amused by the clown's tricks. [amused: past participle]
divert
Example
I like to read novels to divert my attention from work. [divert: verb]
Example
The road was closed, so we had to take a diversion. [diversion: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Amuse is more commonly used than divert in everyday language. Amuse is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while divert is less common and more formal.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between amuse and divert?
Divert is more formal than amuse and is often used in professional or academic settings. Amuse is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
