What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ranking
Example
The university has a high ranking in the national education system. [ranking: noun]
Example
She ranked first in the tennis tournament. [ranked: past tense verb]
rating
Example
The restaurant has a high rating on Yelp. [rating: noun]
Example
He rated the movie five stars on Rotten Tomatoes. [rated: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rating is more commonly used than ranking in everyday language, especially in the context of consumer reviews and feedback. Ranking is more commonly used in academic or competitive settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ranking and rating?
Ranking is often associated with formal and professional contexts, such as academic rankings or business performance rankings. Rating can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter and tone.