What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fractured
Example
The athlete suffered a fractured ankle during the game. [fractured: adjective]
Example
The political party became fractured over the issue of immigration. [fractured: verb]
Example
The movie's plot was so fractured that it was hard to follow. [fractured: adjective]
fragmented
Example
The vase shattered into fragmented pieces when it fell off the table. [fragmented: adjective]
Example
The company's communication system was fragmented, causing delays and confusion. [fragmented: adjective]
Example
The community was fragmented by the divisive issue of gentrification. [fragmented: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fragmented is more commonly used than fractured in everyday language. Fragmented is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fractured is less common and refers to more specific physical or medical situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fractured and fragmented?
Both fractured and fragmented are relatively formal words, but fragmented may be slightly more informal due to its wider range of usage in everyday language.
