What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ravelled
Example
The ball of yarn was so ravelled that it took me hours to untangle it. [ravelled: adjective]
Example
The situation was so ravelled that it was hard to know where to start. [ravelled: verb]
unravel
Example
I had to unravel the knot in my shoelaces before I could put on my shoes. [unravel: verb]
Example
The detective worked tirelessly to unravel the mystery surrounding the crime. [unravel: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unravel is more commonly used than ravelled in everyday language. Unravel is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ravelled is less common and typically used in more formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ravelled and unravel?
Ravelled is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone, while unravel is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
