What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fluctuation
Example
The stock market experienced fluctuations throughout the day. [fluctuations: noun]
Example
The temperature fluctuated between hot and cold all week. [fluctuated: verb]
oscillation
Example
The pendulum's oscillation was used to measure time. [oscillation: noun]
Example
The sound waves oscillated between high and low frequencies. [oscillated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fluctuation is more commonly used than oscillation in everyday language, especially in the context of economics and finance. However, oscillation is more common in scientific and technical fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fluctuation and oscillation?
Both fluctuation and oscillation are formal words that are typically used in academic or technical writing. However, fluctuation may be more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
