What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fouling
Example
The referee called a foul on the player for pushing his opponent. [foul: noun]
Example
She accidentally fouled the water with chemicals, making it unsafe to drink. [fouled: past participle]
violation
Example
He received a ticket for a traffic violation for running a red light. [violation: noun]
Example
She felt that his comments were a violation of her privacy. [violation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Violation is more commonly used than fouling in everyday language, as it has a broader range of applications. Fouling is more specific to sports contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fouling and violation?
Violation is generally considered a more formal word than fouling, as it is often used in legal or official contexts.
