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 the novel to illustrate her point. [excerpt: noun]
Example
I will excerpt this paragraph in my research paper to support my argument. [excerpt: verb]
snippet
Example
The programmer provided a snippet of code to demonstrate how the function works. [snippet: noun]
Example
I only caught a snippet of the news on the radio this morning. [snippet: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Snippet is more commonly used than excerpt in everyday language, especially in digital contexts. However, excerpt is still widely used in academic and literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between excerpt and snippet?
Excerpt is generally considered more formal than snippet, but both words can be used in formal and informal contexts depending on the situation.
