What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
categorize
Example
Let's categorize these books based on their genres. [categorize: verb]
Example
The scientist is working to categorize the different species of birds. [categorizing: gerund or present participle]
classify
Example
We need to classify these documents according to their importance. [classify: verb]
Example
The teacher asked the students to classify the animals into different groups. [classifying: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Categorize is more commonly used in everyday language, while classify is often used in academic or professional contexts. Categorize is versatile and can be applied to various situations, while classify is more specific and commonly used in scientific or technical fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between categorize and classify?
Both categorize and classify can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, classify is more commonly used in academic or professional settings, giving it a slightly more formal connotation compared to categorize.
