What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
distract
Example
The loud noise distracted me from my work. [distracted: past tense]
Example
She tried to distract her baby with a toy while changing his diaper. [distract: verb]
divert
Example
The construction workers diverted traffic to a side street. [diverted: past tense]
Example
He tried to divert his friend's attention from his breakup by suggesting they go out for a drink. [divert: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distract is more commonly used in everyday language than divert. Distract is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while divert is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between distract and divert?
Both distract and divert can be used in formal and informal contexts, but distract is more commonly used in everyday language and may be considered less formal than divert.
