What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fractionation
Example
Fractionation is a common technique used in the petroleum industry to separate crude oil into various components. [fractionation: noun]
Example
The chemist used fractionation to isolate the desired compound from the mixture. [fractionation: verb]
distillation
Example
The distillation process is used to purify water by separating it from impurities. [distillation: noun]
Example
The chemist distilled the mixture to obtain the pure compound. [distilled: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distillation is more commonly used than fractionation in everyday language. Distillation is a versatile process that can be used in a wide range of industries, while fractionation is more specialized and commonly used in the petroleum industry.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between fractionation and distillation?
Both fractionation and distillation are formal terms used in scientific and technical contexts. However, distillation is more commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.