What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
descent
Example
The plane began its descent towards the airport. [descent: noun]
Example
She is of French descent. [descent: noun]
Example
The company's profits have been in descent for the past year. [descent: noun]
fall
Example
The leaves fall from the trees in autumn. [fall: verb]
Example
The stock market experienced a significant fall last week. [fall: noun]
Example
I fell down the stairs and hurt my ankle. [fell: past tense of fall]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fall is more commonly used than descent in everyday language. Fall is a versatile word that can be used in many contexts, while descent is more limited in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between descent and fall?
Both descent and fall can be used in formal and informal contexts, but descent may be considered more formal due to its limited usage and association with technical or specialized fields.
