What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ringer
Example
The new employee is a ringer for the previous one. [ringer: noun]
Example
I had to use my old phone as a ringer since my new one broke. [ringer: noun]
Example
The champion boxer was a ringer in the amateur competition. [ringer: adjective]
clone
Example
The scientists successfully cloned a sheep from a single cell. [clone: verb]
Example
I made a clone of my hard drive to keep as a backup. [clone: noun]
Example
The two dresses are almost identical, they could be clones. [clones: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Clone is more commonly used than ringer in everyday language. Clone is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while ringer is less common and often used in informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ringer and clone?
Clone is a more formal word than ringer. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, while ringer is typically associated with a casual and informal tone.