What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
decentre
Example
It's important to decentre ourselves and consider the perspectives of others. [decentre: verb]
Example
By decentring our own biases, we can better understand the experiences of others. [decentring: gerund or present participle]
distract
Example
The loud noise outside was distracting me from my work. [distract: verb]
Example
I like to distract myself with a good book when I'm feeling stressed. [distracting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distract is more commonly used than decentre in everyday language. Distract is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while decentre is less common and often used in academic or self-help contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between decentre and distract?
While decentre is typically associated with a formal or academic tone, distract is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.