What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dents
Example
The hailstorm left several dents on the roof of my car. [dents: noun]
Example
She accidentally dented the refrigerator door with the vacuum cleaner. [dented: past tense verb]
indentation
Example
Please use indentation to show the different levels of headings in your report. [indentation: noun]
Example
The carpenter made an indentation on the wood to mark where to cut. [indentation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dents is more commonly used than indentation in everyday language, especially when referring to marks or damage on objects. Indentation is more technical and used in specialized fields, such as printing, carpentry, or computer programming.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dents and indentation?
Indentation is more formal than dents due to its technical usage in specialized fields. However, both words can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the situation and audience.
