What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
early
Example
I woke up early to catch the sunrise. [early: adverb]
Example
The early bird catches the worm. [early: adjective]
Example
The early days of the internet were very different from today. [early: adjective]
ancient
Example
The ancient Egyptians built the pyramids. [ancient: adjective]
Example
This vase is an ancient artifact from Greece. [ancient: adjective]
Example
The ancient Greeks made many contributions to philosophy and science. [ancient: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Early is more commonly used than ancient in everyday language. Early is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ancient is less common and is usually reserved for specific historical or cultural references.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between early and ancient?
Both early and ancient can be used in formal and informal contexts, but ancient may be more formal due to its association with history and tradition.
