What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
engrain
Example
After years of practice, playing the piano has become engrained in her daily routine. [engrained: adjective]
Example
The culture of punctuality is engrained in their company's values. [engrained: verb]
instill
Example
Parents try to instill good manners in their children from a young age. [instill: verb]
Example
The teacher instilled a love for reading in her students. [instilled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Instill is more commonly used than engrain in everyday language. Instill is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while engrain is less common and may be more specific to certain situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between engrain and instill?
Both engrain and instill are formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional settings. However, instill may be more commonly used in everyday conversation due to its versatility.
