What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
distractive
Example
The loud music was very distractive and made it hard to concentrate. [distractive: adjective]
Example
Playing video games can be distractive and take away from studying time. [distractive: adjective]
distracting
Example
The bright colors on the wall were very distracting and made it hard to focus. [distracting: adjective]
Example
The noise from the construction site was very distracting and made it hard to work. [distracting: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distracting is more commonly used than distractive in everyday language. It is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts and has a neutral or even positive connotation in some cases.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between distractive and distracting?
Both distractive and distracting are relatively formal words that may not be commonly used in casual conversation. However, distracting is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
