What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mass
Example
The mass of the elephant was impressive. [mass: noun]
Example
We need to calculate the mass of the ingredients for the recipe. [mass: noun]
pile
Example
There was a pile of books on the desk. [pile: noun]
Example
She piled the clothes on the bed before sorting them. [piled: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pile is more commonly used than mass in everyday language, especially in informal contexts. Mass is more commonly used in scientific or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between mass and pile?
Mass is generally considered more formal than pile, which has a more casual connotation and is often used in informal contexts.
