What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fringe
Example
The dress had a beautiful fringe along the bottom. [fringe: noun]
Example
The new political party was seen as a fringe group with extreme views. [fringe: adjective]
hem
Example
She hemmed her pants to make them shorter. [hem: verb]
Example
The dress had a loose hem that needed to be fixed. [hem: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hem is more commonly used than fringe in everyday language, as it is a standard part of most clothing items. Fringe is less common and used mainly for specific styles or designs.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fringe and hem?
Both fringe and hem can be used in formal and informal contexts, but hem is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, making it more appropriate for formal situations.
