What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fluctuate
Example
The stock market prices fluctuated throughout the day. [fluctuated: verb]
Example
Her weight has been fluctuating for the past few months. [fluctuating: present participle]
oscillate
Example
The pendulum oscillated from side to side. [oscillated: verb]
Example
The temperature in the room oscillated between hot and cold. [oscillated: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fluctuate is more commonly used than oscillate in everyday language. Fluctuate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while oscillate is more technical and formal, often used in scientific or engineering contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fluctuate and oscillate?
Oscillate is more formal and technical than fluctuate. It is often used in scientific or engineering contexts, while fluctuate can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
