What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reign
Example
Queen Elizabeth II has had the longest reign of any British monarch. [reign: noun]
Example
The company's reign as the top producer of smartphones came to an end last year. [reign: noun]
Example
The pandemic has reigned over the world for over a year now. [reigned: verb]
rule
Example
The king ruled the kingdom with an iron fist. [ruled: verb]
Example
The school has strict rules about tardiness and absences. [rules: noun]
Example
The rule of law is a fundamental principle in democratic societies. [rule: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rule is more commonly used than reign in everyday language. Rule is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while reign is less common and often associated with monarchy and royalty.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reign and rule?
While reign is typically associated with a formal tone due to its association with monarchy and royalty, rule can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
