What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fertile
Example
The farmer's land was very fertile, and he was able to grow a variety of crops. [fertile: adjective]
Example
The couple was worried about their fertility and whether they could have children. [fertility: noun]
Example
Her mind was fertile with new ideas for her next book. [fertile: adjective]
prolific
Example
The apple tree in the backyard was very prolific and produced a lot of fruit every year. [prolific: adjective]
Example
The author was known for being prolific, having written over 20 books in her career. [prolific: adjective]
Example
The factory was a prolific source of pollution, causing harm to the environment. [prolific: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prolific is more commonly used than fertile in everyday language, especially in the context of creative output. Fertile is less common and is typically used in specific contexts such as agriculture or reproduction.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fertile and prolific?
Both fertile and prolific can be used in formal and informal contexts, but prolific is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.
