What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
association
Example
The association of artists organized an exhibition to showcase their work. [association: noun]
Example
She has an association with several charitable organizations. [association: preposition]
Example
The professor discussed the association between stress and health problems. [association: noun]
union
Example
The union negotiated better working conditions for its members. [union: noun]
Example
They decided to unionize to have a stronger voice in the workplace. [unionize: verb]
Example
The union of two companies created a powerful force in the market. [union: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Association is more commonly used than union in everyday language. Association is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while union is more specific to labor relations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between association and union?
While association is generally associated with a neutral and formal tone, union can have a more political or activist connotation. Union is often used in more informal or specialized contexts related to labor relations.