What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nucleation
Example
The nucleation of crystals is an important step in the production of high-quality semiconductors. [nucleation: noun]
Example
The addition of a nucleating agent can help promote the formation of bubbles in carbonated drinks. [nucleating: present participle]
clustering
Example
The clustering algorithm was able to identify patterns in the customer data. [clustering: noun]
Example
The birds were clustering together on the power line. [clustering: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Clustering is more commonly used than nucleation in everyday language, especially in the context of data analysis and social sciences. Nucleation is a more specialized term that is mainly used in scientific fields such as material science and chemistry.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nucleation and clustering?
Both nucleation and clustering are technical terms that are typically used in formal or academic contexts.
