What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mould
Example
She poured the melted chocolate into the mould and waited for it to cool. [mould: noun]
Example
The bread had gone bad and was covered in green mould. [mould: noun]
Example
Growing up in a strict household can mould a child's personality. [mould: verb]
pattern
Example
The dress had a floral pattern on it. [pattern: noun]
Example
He noticed a pattern in his coworker's behavior every Monday. [pattern: noun]
Example
The software development team followed the MVC design pattern. [pattern: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pattern is more commonly used than mould in everyday language. Pattern is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mould is less common and has more specific uses.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mould and pattern?
Both mould and pattern can be used in formal and informal contexts, but pattern is more versatile and can be used in more formal settings, such as design or architecture, while mould is more commonly used in casual or technical contexts.