What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
commonalty
Example
The politician promised to address the concerns of the commonalty. [commonalty: noun]
Example
The commonalty expressed their dissatisfaction with the new policy. [commonalty: noun]
populace
Example
The event attracted a diverse populace from all walks of life. [populace: noun]
Example
The government's decision was met with outrage from the populace. [populace: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Populace is more commonly used than commonalty in everyday language. Populace is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while commonalty is less frequently used and may be more commonly found in historical or literary texts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between commonalty and populace?
While commonalty is more informal and less frequently used, populace is more formal and commonly used in written or formal contexts. Therefore, populace is considered more formal than commonalty.