What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ignite
Example
He used a match to ignite the candles on the birthday cake. [ignite: verb]
Example
The spark from the lighter ignited the gasoline and caused an explosion. [ignited: past tense]
light
Example
She turned on the lamp to light up the room. [light: verb]
Example
He used a lighter to light the cigarette. [light: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Light is more commonly used than ignite in everyday language. Light is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ignite is less common and refers to a specific action.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ignite and light?
Ignite is more formal than light, which is commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
