What context can I use each word in?

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

purify

Example

The water needs to be purified before it can be used for drinking. [purified: past participle]

Example

The air purifier helps to purify the air in the room. [purify: verb]

filter

Example

I need to filter the coffee grounds before brewing the coffee. [filter: verb]

Example

The water filter removes impurities and makes the water safe to drink. [filter: noun]

Definitions of purify and filter

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Key differences and similarities of purify and filter

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Good things to know

Which word is more common?

Filter is more commonly used than purify in everyday language. Filter is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while purify is less common and refers to a more thorough removal of impurities.

What’s the difference in the tone of formality between purify and filter?

While purify is typically associated with a formal and technical tone, filter is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.