What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
precis
Example
The student was asked to write a precis of the research paper. [precis: noun]
Example
She spent hours trying to precis the lengthy report into a concise summary. [precis: verb]
abstract
Example
The abstract of the research paper provided a clear overview of the study's objectives and findings. [abstract: noun]
Example
She abstracted the key points from the lengthy report. [abstract: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Abstract is more commonly used than precis in academic and scholarly writing. Precis is less common and is typically used in specific academic or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between precis and abstract?
Precis and abstract are both formal words that are typically used in academic or professional settings. However, abstract is more commonly used in scholarly writing and is therefore considered more formal.
