What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bale
Example
The farmer loaded the bales of hay onto the truck. [bales: plural noun]
Example
They received a bale of cloth from the textile factory. [bale: singular noun]
parcel
Example
I received a parcel in the mail today. [parcel: noun]
Example
She carefully parcelled up the gifts for her friends. [parcelled: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Parcel is more commonly used than bale in everyday language. Parcel is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while bale is more specific and limited to certain industries or agricultural settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bale and parcel?
Both bale and parcel can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, parcel is more commonly used in everyday conversations and is generally considered more informal compared to bale, which is more specialized and may be used in more formal or technical settings.