What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deleted
Example
I accidentally deleted all my photos from my phone. [deleted: past tense]
Example
The company policy is to delete all sensitive information after a certain period. [delete: verb]
Example
The editor deleted several paragraphs from the article to make it more concise. [deleted: past participle]
erased
Example
She erased the whiteboard after the meeting. [erased: past tense]
Example
The old cassette tapes were erased and reused for new recordings. [erased: past participle]
Example
The graffiti on the wall was completely erased by the cleaning crew. [erase: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deleted is more commonly used than erased in everyday language, especially in the context of computers and technology.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deleted and erased?
Both deleted and erased are relatively neutral in terms of formality, and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
