What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contaminate
Example
The water supply was contaminated with bacteria. [contaminated: past participle]
Example
The factory's waste products contaminated the nearby river. [contaminate: verb]
pollute
Example
The factory's emissions polluted the air in the surrounding area. [polluted: past tense]
Example
Littering can pollute the environment and harm wildlife. [pollute: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pollute is more commonly used than contaminate in everyday language. Pollute is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while contaminate is more specific and often used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contaminate and pollute?
Both contaminate and pollute are formal words that are typically used in serious or technical contexts. However, contaminate may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with scientific terminology.
