What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
patent
Example
The company filed a patent for their new product. [patent: noun]
Example
She patented her invention to protect it from being copied. [patented: past tense verb]
charter
Example
The school was established by a royal charter. [charter: noun]
Example
The committee is working on chartering a new club at the university. [chartering: present participle verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Patent is more commonly used than charter in everyday language. Patent is often associated with innovation and technology, while charter is more commonly used in legal and organizational contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between patent and charter?
Patent is typically associated with a formal and technical tone, while charter can be used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the topic and audience.
