What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
modernity
Example
The city's skyline reflects the modernity of its architecture. [modernity: noun]
Example
The company prides itself on its commitment to modernity and innovation. [modernity: noun]
modernism
Example
The museum's collection includes many works from the modernism period. [modernism: noun]
Example
The author's writing style is characterized by elements of modernism, such as stream-of-consciousness narration. [modernism: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Modernity is a more commonly used term than modernism in everyday language, as it can be applied to various fields and contexts. Modernism is primarily used in the context of art, literature, and music, and may not be familiar to ESL learners who are not familiar with these fields.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between modernity and modernism?
Both modernity and modernism are formal terms that may not be commonly used in informal contexts. However, modernity is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels, while modernism is primarily used in academic or artistic contexts.