What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reconnaissance
Example
The army conducted a reconnaissance mission to gather intelligence on the enemy's position. [reconnaissance: noun]
Example
The team went on a reconnaissance trip to assess the potential for a new business venture. [reconnaissance: adjective]
survey
Example
The government conducted a survey to gather data on the population's health habits. [survey: noun]
Example
We surveyed the customers to get their feedback on our new product. [surveyed: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Survey is more commonly used than reconnaissance in everyday language, especially in business, research, and social contexts. Reconnaissance is more specific and formal, often used in military or exploration contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reconnaissance and survey?
Reconnaissance is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, while survey can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject and purpose of the survey.