What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
annotator
Example
The professor acted as the annotator for the students' research papers, providing valuable feedback and suggestions. [annotator: noun]
Example
She spent hours annotating her favorite novel, making notes in the margins about the characters and themes. [annotating: present participle]
commentator
Example
The soccer match was made more exciting by the enthusiastic commentator who provided play-by-play analysis. [commentator: noun]
Example
The political commentator shared her thoughts on the recent election results during the television interview. [commentator: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Commentator is more commonly used than annotator in everyday language. Commentator is frequently heard in sports, news, and entertainment contexts, while annotator is more commonly encountered in academic or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between annotator and commentator?
While annotator is typically associated with a more formal or academic tone, commentator can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter and medium of communication.