What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
erosion
Example
The river's erosion of the bank caused a landslide. [erosion: noun]
Example
The constant exposure to sunlight and rain caused the paint on the house to erode. [erode: verb]
deterioration
Example
The deterioration of the old building was evident from the cracks in the walls. [deterioration: noun]
Example
The relationship between the two friends deteriorated after they had an argument. [deteriorated: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deterioration is more commonly used than erosion in everyday language. Deterioration is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while erosion is less common and often used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between erosion and deterioration?
While erosion is typically associated with a scientific or technical tone, deterioration is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
