What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lien
Example
The contractor filed a lien against the property for unpaid work. [lien: noun]
Example
The bank has a lien on the car until the loan is fully paid off. [lien: noun]
mortgage
Example
We got a mortgage from the bank to buy our house. [mortgage: noun]
Example
She is still paying off her mortgage after ten years. [mortgage: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mortgage is more commonly used than lien in everyday language, as it is a more common financial term. Lien is typically used in legal or financial contexts and may not be familiar to ESL learners unless they have experience in these fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lien and mortgage?
Both lien and mortgage are formal terms used in legal and financial contexts. However, mortgage is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels, while lien is more technical and may be less common in everyday conversation.
