What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
drain
Example
I need to drain the sink before washing the dishes. [drain: verb]
Example
After running a marathon, I felt completely drained. [drained: adjective]
Example
The constant demands of work were draining her energy. [draining: gerund or present participle]
deplete
Example
The company's profits were depleted by the economic downturn. [depleted: past participle]
Example
The overfishing of the lake has depleted its fish population. [deplete: verb]
Example
The long drought had depleted the soil of its nutrients. [depleted: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Drain is more common in everyday language than deplete. It is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while deplete is more formal and technical and is often used in scientific or academic writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between drain and deplete?
Deplete is more formal and technical than drain. It is often used in scientific or academic writing, while drain is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
