What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
burnt
Example
The house was completely burnt down in the fire. [burnt: past participle]
Example
I accidentally left the toast in the toaster for too long, and it got burnt. [burnt: adjective]
scorched
Example
The edges of the paper got scorched when it touched the candle flame. [scorched: past participle]
Example
The sun was so hot that it scorched the grass in the backyard. [scorched: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Burnt is more commonly used than scorched in everyday language. Burnt is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scorched is less common and is more specific to situations involving partial damage or discoloration.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between burnt and scorched?
Both burnt and scorched can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, burnt is generally more informal and casual, while scorched can be used in a slightly more formal tone.
