What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
category
Example
The books in the library are arranged by category, such as fiction, non-fiction, and reference. [category: noun]
Example
She is interested in studying animals and wants to specialize in the mammal category. [category: noun]
grouping
Example
The teacher asked the students to do a grouping activity, where they had to sort shapes based on their colors. [grouping: noun]
Example
We are grouping the participants into teams for the team-building exercise. [grouping: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Category is more commonly used than grouping in academic or professional contexts, where precise classification is required. Grouping, on the other hand, is more commonly used in everyday conversations or informal settings when talking about organizing things or creating specific arrangements.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between category and grouping?
While category is typically associated with a more formal tone, grouping is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
