What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
expend
Example
He expended a lot of energy during the marathon. [expended: past tense]
Example
We need to expend more resources to complete the project on time. [expend: verb]
consume
Example
She consumed a large pizza by herself. [consumed: past tense]
Example
The factory consumes a lot of electricity to operate its machinery. [consumes: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Consume is more commonly used than expend in everyday language. Consume is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while expend is less common and often used in formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between expend and consume?
Expend is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, while consume is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
