What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
communal
Example
The residents of the apartment building have access to a communal garden. [communal: adjective]
Example
The festival created a sense of communal celebration among the attendees. [communal: adjective]
collective
Example
The team made a collective decision to postpone the project. [collective: adjective]
Example
The band's success was a result of their collective talent and hard work. [collective: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Communal is more commonly used than collective in everyday language. Communal is versatile and can be used in various contexts related to shared spaces, resources, or a sense of community. On the other hand, collective is less common and is primarily used to describe joint efforts or actions taken by a group.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between communal and collective?
Both communal and collective can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, collective may have a slightly more formal tone when used to describe joint efforts or actions taken by a group.
