What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
column
Example
The ancient temple had beautiful marble columns supporting its roof. [column: noun]
Example
I always enjoy reading the advice column in the newspaper. [column: noun]
Example
You can sort the data by the 'Age' column in the spreadsheet. [column: noun]
shaft
Example
The drill bit is attached to the shaft of the drilling machine. [shaft: noun]
Example
The miners descended into the dark shaft to extract coal from the mine. [shaft: noun]
Example
He aimed the bow and released the arrow, sending it flying straight from the shaft. [shaft: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Column is more commonly used than shaft in everyday language. Column has a wider range of applications and can be encountered in various contexts, such as architecture, journalism, and data organization. In contrast, shaft is less common and is mainly used in technical or specialized fields.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between column and shaft?
While column is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, shaft is more technical and is typically used in formal or specialized settings.
