What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
noticed
Example
I noticed a strange smell coming from the kitchen. [noticed: past tense]
Example
She noticed the small details in the painting that others overlooked. [noticed: verb]
discern
Example
It was difficult to discern the difference between the two fabrics. [discern: verb]
Example
She had a keen eye for discerning the motives of others. [discerning: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Noticed is more commonly used in everyday language, while discern is more formal and less common.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between noticed and discern?
Discern is generally considered more formal than noticed. It is often used in academic or professional contexts where precision and accuracy are important.
