What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
congress
Example
The Congress is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. [Congress: proper noun]
Example
The annual congress of the medical association will be held in Chicago this year. [congress: noun]
Example
The congress of writers was a great opportunity to meet other authors and share ideas. [congress: noun]
parliament
Example
The British Parliament consists of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. [Parliament: proper noun]
Example
The parliamentary committee met to discuss the proposed changes to the tax code. [parliamentary: adjective]
Example
The environmental activists formed a parliamentary group to lobby for stronger regulations. [parliamentary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Parliament is more commonly used than congress outside of the United States. Parliament is used in many countries around the world, while congress is specific to the United States government.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between congress and parliament?
Parliament is typically associated with a formal and official tone due to its use in government and politics. Congress can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more commonly used in the United States and may have a slightly more casual connotation.
