What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
eat
Example
I like to eat pizza for dinner. [eat: verb]
Example
Eating healthy foods is important for maintaining a balanced diet. [eating: gerund or present participle]
consume
Example
The athlete needs to consume a lot of protein to build muscle. [consume: verb]
Example
The factory consumes a lot of energy to operate its machinery. [consumes: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Eat is more commonly used than consume in everyday language, especially in the context of food. Consume is more formal and is often used in technical or academic contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between eat and consume?
Consume is more formal than eat and is often used in technical or academic contexts. Eat is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
