What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
conversation
Example
I had a great conversation with my friend about our favorite books. [conversation: noun]
Example
We conversed for hours about politics and current events. [conversed: past tense verb]
dialogue
Example
The dialogue between the two characters in the play was intense and emotional. [dialogue: noun]
Example
The two countries engaged in a dialogue to resolve their differences. [dialogue: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Conversation is more commonly used than dialogue in everyday language. Conversation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dialogue is less common and often associated with formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between conversation and dialogue?
Dialogue is typically associated with a formal and professional tone, while conversation can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.