What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
magnify
Example
She used a magnifying glass to read the small print. [magnifying: present participle]
Example
The microscope magnified the specimen by 100 times. [magnified: past tense]
amplify
Example
He amplified his voice using a microphone. [amplified: past tense]
Example
The speaker used examples to amplify her argument. [amplify: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Amplify is more commonly used than magnify in everyday language. Amplify is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while magnify is less common and refers to a specific action of making something appear larger or focusing on a particular detail.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between magnify and amplify?
Both magnify and amplify can be used in formal and informal contexts, but magnify is typically associated with a more technical or scientific tone, while amplify is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels.
