What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
crumbs
Example
She swept the crumbs off the table after breakfast. [crumbs: noun]
Example
There were crumbs all over the counter from the loaf of bread. [crumbs: plural noun]
bits
Example
He ate the last bits of his sandwich for lunch. [bits: plural noun]
Example
The artist used bits of colored paper to create a collage. [bits: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bits is more commonly used than crumbs in everyday language. Bits is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while crumbs is more specific and often used only in the context of food.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between crumbs and bits?
Both crumbs and bits are relatively informal words and can be used in casual conversation or writing.