What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inflect
Example
She inflected her voice to show excitement. [inflected: past tense]
Example
The verb 'to be' is inflected in the present tense as 'am', 'is', and 'are'. [inflected: verb form]
modulate
Example
The singer modulated her voice to match the mood of the song. [modulated: past tense]
Example
The radio station modulates its signal to broadcast its programs. [modulates: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Modulate is more commonly used than inflect in everyday language. Modulate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while inflect is more technical and specific to language and grammar.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inflect and modulate?
Both inflect and modulate can be used in technical or scientific contexts, but inflect is more formal and academic in tone, while modulate is more neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.