What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
depicted
Example
The artist depicted a beautiful sunset in her painting. [depicted: verb]
Example
The novel depicted the struggles of a young immigrant family in vivid detail. [depicted: past tense]
represented
Example
The red cross represents medical aid and assistance. [represents: verb]
Example
The lawyer represented the defendant in court. [represented: past tense]
Example
The movie represented the historical event with accuracy and sensitivity. [represented: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Represented is more commonly used than depicted in everyday language. Represented is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while depicted is less common and refers specifically to visual representation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between depicted and represented?
Both depicted and represented can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, represented may be more commonly used in formal settings, such as politics or law.
