What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
excavated
Example
The archaeologists excavated the ancient ruins to learn more about the civilization. [excavated: verb]
Example
The construction workers excavated the foundation for the new building. [excavated: past tense]
exhume
Example
The police decided to exhume the body to gather more evidence. [exhume: verb]
Example
The author's unpublished manuscript was exhumed from the archives and published posthumously. [exhumed: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Excavate is more commonly used than exhume in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and is more versatile. Exhume is a more specialized term that is used less frequently.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between excavated and exhume?
Both excavate and exhume are formal words that are typically used in technical or specialized contexts. However, excavate is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings, while exhume is more specialized and is typically used in formal or legal contexts.
