What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
appear
Example
The sun will appear from behind the clouds soon. [appear: verb]
Example
He suddenly appeared at the door, surprising everyone. [appeared: past tense]
materialize
Example
Her dream of becoming a singer finally materialized when she signed a record deal. [materialized: past tense]
Example
The solution to the problem materialized after hours of brainstorming. [materialize: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Appear is more commonly used in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and situations. On the other hand, materialize is less common and tends to be used in more specific or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between appear and materialize?
While appear is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, materialize is generally associated with a more formal tone and is often used in professional or academic settings.
