What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contrive
Example
He contrived a plan to escape from the prison. [contrived: past tense]
Example
She contrived a way to make the project work within the given budget. [contrived: verb]
devise
Example
The company devised a new marketing strategy to attract more customers. [devised: past tense]
Example
She devised a plan to improve her study habits and get better grades. [devised: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Devise is more commonly used than contrive in everyday language. Devise is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while contrive is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contrive and devise?
Contrive is typically associated with a more formal tone, while devise can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
