What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cleft
Example
The hiker carefully navigated the cleft in the rocks. [cleft: noun]
Example
The tree trunk was cleft in two by a powerful lightning strike. [cleft: past tense]
split
Example
She split the apple in half with a knife. [split: verb]
Example
The team was divided into two groups, causing a split in their dynamics. [split: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Split is more commonly used than cleft in everyday language. Split is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while cleft is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cleft and split?
While cleft can have a more formal or technical connotation, split is more commonly used in informal contexts. Both words can be used in different levels of formality depending on the context.
