What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
botch
Example
He botched the repair job and made the problem worse. [botched: past tense verb]
Example
The chef botched the recipe and the dish turned out inedible. [botched: adjective]
ruin
Example
The storm ruined their house, leaving it in ruins. [ruined: past tense verb]
Example
She ruined her chances of getting the job by arriving late to the interview. [ruined: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ruin is more commonly used than botch in everyday language. Ruin is versatile and can be used to describe various situations of destruction or irreversible damage. Botch, on the other hand, is less common and is typically used in specific contexts to describe failed attempts or poorly executed tasks.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between botch and ruin?
While botch is associated with a more informal tone, ruin can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Ruin is a more widely recognized term and can be employed in various formality levels.
