What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
beckon
Example
She beckoned her friend to join her on the dance floor. [beckoned: past tense]
Example
The teacher beckoned the students to gather around for a group activity. [beckoned: verb]
signal
Example
He signaled the waiter to bring the bill. [signaled: past tense]
Example
The traffic light turned green, signaling the cars to proceed. [signaling: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Signal is more commonly used than beckon in everyday language. Signal is a versatile word that can be applied to different situations, while beckon is less common and is mainly used in interpersonal or social contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between beckon and signal?
Both beckon and signal can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, signal is more neutral and can be used in professional or technical settings, while beckon is generally associated with a casual and friendly tone.
