What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inarticulate
Example
He was so nervous that he became inarticulate and stumbled over his words. [inarticulate: adjective]
Example
Her speech was inarticulate and difficult to follow. [inarticulate: adjective]
garbled
Example
The phone line was so bad that his message came through garbled and unintelligible. [garbled: adjective]
Example
She spoke so quickly that her words became garbled and hard to decipher. [garbled: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Garbled is more commonly used than inarticulate in everyday language. Garbled is often used to describe unclear messages or communication, while inarticulate is less common and more often used to describe a person's ability to express themselves.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inarticulate and garbled?
Both inarticulate and garbled are formal words that are typically used in professional or academic settings. However, garbled may also be used in informal contexts to describe unclear speech or communication.