What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ensue
Example
After the argument, a long silence ensued. [ensued: verb]
Example
The company's bankruptcy ensued from poor financial management. [ensued: past participle]
arise
Example
A problem arose when the shipment was delayed. [arose: past tense]
Example
An opportunity arose for me to study abroad. [arose: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Arise is more commonly used than ensue in everyday language. Arise is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ensue is less common and typically used in more formal writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ensue and arise?
Ensue is typically associated with a more formal tone, while arise is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
