What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
period
Example
The pay period for this job is bi-weekly. [period: noun]
Example
She experiences painful cramps during her period. [period: noun]
Example
Remember to put a period at the end of your sentence. [period: noun]
cycle
Example
The water cycle involves evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. [cycle: noun]
Example
Her menstrual cycle is irregular and unpredictable. [cycle: noun]
Example
I prefer to cycle to work instead of driving. [cycle: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Period is more commonly used than cycle in everyday language, especially in finance and grammar contexts. Cycle is less common and is more often used in scientific and biological contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between period and cycle?
Both period and cycle can be used in formal and informal contexts, but period is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
