What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discover
Example
Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492. [discover: verb]
Example
I just discovered a new restaurant in town. [discovered: past tense]
Example
The scientist discovered a cure for cancer after years of research. [discover: verb]
notice
Example
I noticed a strange smell coming from the kitchen. [noticed: past tense]
Example
Did you notice how quiet it is outside? [notice: verb]
Example
The teacher gave me a notice for being late to class. [notice: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Notice is more commonly used than discover in everyday language. Notice is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while discover is less common and often used in specific contexts such as science, history, or exploration.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between discover and notice?
Both discover and notice can be used in formal and informal contexts, but discover may be more formal due to its association with scientific or historical discoveries.
