What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
notation
Example
The notation used in music is different from the notation used in mathematics. [notation: noun]
Example
Please use proper notation when writing your equations. [notation: noun]
Example
The scientist used a complex notation to represent the chemical reaction. [notation: noun]
representation
Example
The painting is a representation of the artist's emotions. [representation: noun]
Example
The graph provides a clear representation of the data. [representation: noun]
Example
The lawyer acted as a representation of his client in court. [representation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Representation is more commonly used than notation in everyday language. Representation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while notation is more specialized and is primarily used in technical or academic fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between notation and representation?
Notation is typically associated with a more technical or academic tone, while representation can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.