What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dissect
Example
The biology students dissected a frog in class. [dissected: past tense]
Example
The detective dissected the crime scene for clues. [dissected: verb]
probe
Example
The doctor used a probe to examine the patient's internal organs. [probe: noun]
Example
The journalist probed the politician for answers during the press conference. [probed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Probe is more commonly used than dissect in everyday language. Probe is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dissect is less common and more specific to scientific or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dissect and probe?
Both dissect and probe can be used in formal contexts, but dissect may be perceived as more formal due to its association with scientific or academic language.
