What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
percolation
Example
The coffee percolated slowly through the filter. [percolated: past tense verb]
Example
The rainwater percolated through the soil and into the groundwater. [percolated: past tense verb]
filtration
Example
The chemist used filtration to separate the solid particles from the liquid. [filtration: noun]
Example
The air filter removed the dust and pollen from the air. [filter: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Filtration is more commonly used than percolation in everyday language. Filtration is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while percolation is less common and has specific applications in coffee-making and geological processes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between percolation and filtration?
Both percolation and filtration are technical terms used in scientific and industrial contexts, making them more formal than everyday language. However, filtration is more commonly used in various formality levels, while percolation is more specialized and may be less familiar to non-experts.
