What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
census
Example
The government conducts a census every ten years to gather data about the population. [census: noun]
Example
They are conducting a census to determine the number of households in the city. [conducting: present participle]
count
Example
Please count the number of chairs in the room. [count: verb]
Example
The teacher asked the students to do a count of the books in the library. [count: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Count is more commonly used than census in everyday language. Count is a versatile word that can be used in different contexts, while census is more specific and often associated with official procedures and population studies.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between census and count?
While census is typically associated with a formal and official tone, count can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be employed in a wide range of situations.
