What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
encircle
Example
The children encircled the tree and held hands. [encircled: past tense]
Example
The police encircled the building to catch the thief. [encircled: past participle]
encompass
Example
The book encompasses the history of the entire country. [encompasses: verb]
Example
The project will encompass all aspects of the company's operations. [encompass: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Encompass is more commonly used than encircle in everyday language. Encompass is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while encircle is less common and refers to a specific circular shape.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between encircle and encompass?
Both encircle and encompass are formal words that can be used in academic or professional contexts. However, encompass may be slightly more formal due to its broader range of meanings and usage.
