What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
downfall
Example
The company's downfall was due to poor management decisions. [downfall: noun]
Example
His downfall was his addiction to gambling. [downfall: noun]
ruin
Example
The abandoned building was in a state of ruin. [ruin: noun]
Example
The storm ruined the crops. [ruined: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ruin is more commonly used than downfall in everyday language. Ruin is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while downfall is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between downfall and ruin?
Both downfall and ruin can be used in formal and informal contexts, but downfall may be more commonly used in formal writing or speech due to its association with politics or business.
