What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nail
Example
He used a hammer and nail to hang the picture on the wall. [nail: noun]
Example
She painted her nails with bright red polish. [nails: plural noun]
Example
He nailed the bullseye in archery practice. [nailed: past tense verb]
spike
Example
He used a spike to secure the tent to the ground. [spike: noun]
Example
The stock market experienced a sudden spike in prices. [spike: noun]
Example
She spiked the volleyball over the net for the winning point. [spiked: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nail is more commonly used in everyday language, while spike is more commonly used in technical or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nail and spike?
Both nail and spike can be used in formal and informal contexts, but spike may be more commonly used in technical or specialized contexts, making it slightly more formal in those situations.
