What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
constitutive
Example
Trust is constitutive of any healthy relationship. [constitutive: adjective]
Example
The constitutive elements of a good story include character development, conflict, and resolution. [constitutive: noun]
constructive
Example
Let's have a constructive conversation about how we can solve this problem. [constructive: adjective]
Example
The team engaged in constructive criticism to improve their performance. [constructive: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Constructive is more commonly used than constitutive in everyday language. Constructive is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while constitutive is more technical and academic.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between constitutive and constructive?
Constitutive is typically associated with a more formal tone, while constructive is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
