What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
paragraph
Example
Each paragraph in an essay should have a clear topic sentence. [paragraph: noun]
Example
She wrote a paragraph about her favorite book. [paragraph: noun]
section
Example
The history textbook is divided into sections based on time periods. [section: noun]
Example
I need to finish the introduction section of my research paper. [section: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Paragraph is more commonly used than section in everyday language, especially in writing such as essays and articles. Section is more commonly used in longer documents such as reports, books, and manuals.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between paragraph and section?
Both paragraph and section are versatile and can be used in various formality levels, allowing them to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
