What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pluck
Example
She plucked the flower from the vase. [pluck: verb]
Example
The chef plucked the feathers from the chicken before cooking it. [plucked: past tense]
extract
Example
The dentist had to extract my tooth because it was infected. [extract: verb]
Example
The scientist extracted DNA from the blood sample for analysis. [extracted: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Extract is more commonly used than pluck in academic, scientific, and technical contexts. Pluck is less common and is typically used in more casual or informal situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pluck and extract?
Extract is generally considered more formal and technical than pluck, which has a more casual or informal tone.
