What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
intake
Example
My daily water intake is at least 8 glasses. [intake: noun]
Example
She had a high intake of calories due to her unhealthy eating habits. [intake: noun]
Example
I need to increase my intake of vegetables for a healthier diet. [intake: noun]
consumption
Example
The consumption of sugary drinks has been linked to obesity. [consumption: noun]
Example
Our company's energy consumption has decreased since we switched to LED lights. [consumption: noun]
Example
He reduced his meat consumption for environmental reasons. [consumption: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Consumption is more commonly used than intake in everyday language, especially in economic or environmental contexts. However, intake is still an important term in medical and nutritional fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between intake and consumption?
Both intake and consumption can be used in formal or technical contexts, but intake may be more commonly used in medical or scientific writing, while consumption may be more commonly used in economic or environmental writing.