What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
devoured
Example
He devoured the pizza in just a few bites. [devoured: past tense]
Example
She devoured the novel in one sitting, unable to put it down. [devoured: past participle]
Example
The students devoured the lecture, eager to learn more about the topic. [devoured: verb]
consume
Example
We consume a lot of water during hot weather. [consume: verb]
Example
The factory consumes a large amount of energy to operate. [consume: verb]
Example
She consumed all the information in the textbook before the exam. [consumed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Consume is more commonly used than devoured in everyday language, as it is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between devoured and consume?
Consume is more formal than devoured, which is more casual and informal in tone. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.