What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pictorial
Example
The museum's pictorial exhibit showcased the works of various artists. [pictorial: adjective]
Example
The children's book was filled with pictorial illustrations that brought the story to life. [pictorial: adjective]
pictorially
Example
The teacher explained the concept pictorially using diagrams and flowcharts. [pictorially: adverb]
Example
The company's annual report was presented pictorially, with graphs and charts illustrating the financial data. [pictorially: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pictorial is more commonly used than pictorially in everyday language. Pictorial is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pictorially is more specific and often used in technical or academic writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pictorial and pictorially?
While pictorial is generally considered more formal than pictorially, both words can be used in formal and informal contexts depending on the situation and audience.