What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ashen
Example
Her face turned ashen when she heard the bad news. [ashen: adjective]
Example
The sky turned an ashen gray before the storm hit. [ashen: adjective]
pale
Example
She looked pale after staying up all night studying. [pale: adjective]
Example
The flowers in the garden had a beautiful pale pink color. [pale: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pale is more commonly used than ashen in everyday language. Pale is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while ashen is more specific and less frequently used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ashen and pale?
Both ashen and pale can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, ashen may have a slightly more formal tone due to its less common usage.