What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pencil
Example
I need a pencil to write down this phone number. [pencil: noun]
Example
She penciled in the details of the design before finalizing it. [penciled: past tense verb]
graphite
Example
The artist used graphite to create a realistic portrait. [graphite: noun]
Example
Graphite is a common material used in batteries and electrical conductors. [graphite: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pencil is a more common word than graphite in everyday language. Pencil is a versatile tool used by people of all ages and professions, while graphite is more technical and scientific, used mainly in industrial and engineering contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pencil and graphite?
While pencil is a casual and informal word, graphite is more formal and technical, used mainly in scientific and engineering contexts.
