What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
essay
Example
In her essay, the author argues that social media has a negative impact on mental health. [essay: noun]
Example
He spent all night writing his essay for the history class. [essay: noun]
report
Example
The company issued a report on its financial performance for the quarter. [report: noun]
Example
She was asked to write a report summarizing the findings of her research project. [report: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Report is more commonly used than essay in professional and academic settings. Essay is more commonly used in academic writing, but it can also be used in other contexts, such as personal writing or journalism.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between essay and report?
Report is generally considered more formal than essay. While essays may be written in a more casual or conversational tone, reports are typically written in a more formal and professional tone.
