What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
effacer
Example
Je vais effacer le tableau blanc. [effacer: verb]
Example
Il a effacé toutes les données de son ordinateur. [effacé: past participle]
Example
Le temps a effacé l'encre sur cette feuille de papier. [effacé: past participle]
delete
Example
I accidentally deleted all my files. [deleted: past tense]
Example
Please delete my name from the list. [delete: verb]
Example
The company decided to delete the outdated product from their inventory. [delete: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Delete is more commonly used than effacer in everyday language, especially in the context of digital documents or files. Effacer is less common and more specific to physical surfaces.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between effacer and delete?
Both effacer and delete can be used in formal and informal contexts, but delete is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
