What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
extrinsical
Example
The extrinsical factors affecting the company's performance include changes in the market and economic conditions. [extrinsical: adjective]
Example
The extrinsical motivation provided by the reward system helped increase employee productivity. [extrinsical: noun]
extraneous
Example
The speaker's extraneous comments distracted the audience from the main topic of the presentation. [extraneous: adjective]
Example
The extraneous information included in the report was not relevant to the research question. [extraneous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Extraneous is more commonly used than extrinsical in everyday language, and is more versatile in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between extrinsical and extraneous?
Both extrinsical and extraneous are formal words, but extrinsical is more technical and academic in nature, while extraneous can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
