What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
excerpt
Example
The professor read an excerpt from her latest book. [excerpt: noun]
Example
The article included an excerpt from the CEO's interview. [excerpt: noun]
Example
She excerpted a few lines from the poem to illustrate her point. [excerpted: past tense verb]
passage
Example
The passage describes the protagonist's journey through the forest. [passage: noun]
Example
The speech included a passage about the importance of education. [passage: noun]
Example
The symphony has a beautiful passage in the second movement. [passage: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Passage is more commonly used than excerpt in everyday language. Passage is a more general term that can be used in a variety of contexts, while excerpt is more specific and often used in academic or literary settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between excerpt and passage?
Both excerpt and passage can be used in formal and informal contexts, but excerpt may be perceived as more formal due to its association with academic or literary writing.
