What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lengthen
Example
The teacher asked us to lengthen our essays by adding more details. [lengthen: verb]
Example
The days are starting to lengthen as we move towards summer. [lengthen: verb]
Example
The construction workers need to lengthen the bridge to accommodate more traffic. [lengthen: verb]
stretch
Example
I like to stretch before exercising to prevent injury. [stretch: verb]
Example
The artist used a canvas stretcher to stretch the painting. [stretch: verb]
Example
The beach stretches for miles along the coast. [stretch: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stretch is more commonly used than lengthen in everyday language, especially in the context of exercise or physical movement. Lengthen is more specialized and may be used more frequently in technical or formal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between lengthen and stretch?
Lengthen is generally considered more formal than stretch, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, both words can be used in various levels of formality depending on the context.
