What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
balk
Example
He balked at the idea of skydiving because he was afraid of heights. [balk: verb]
Example
The team's plans were balking due to a lack of funding. [balking: present participle]
foil
Example
She used aluminum foil to cover the leftovers and keep them fresh. [foil: noun]
Example
The detective foiled the criminal's plan to rob the bank. [foiled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Balk is more commonly used than foil in everyday language. Balk is often used to describe hesitation or refusal, which is a more common occurrence in daily life. On the other hand, foil is less commonly used and is more specific in its meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between balk and foil?
Both balk and foil can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, balk is generally associated with a more casual tone, while foil can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
