What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
roof
Example
The roof of the house was damaged during the storm. [roof: noun]
Example
We need to roof the shed before winter comes. [roof: verb]
top
Example
The mountain top was covered in snow. [top: noun]
Example
She put the lid on top of the jar. [top: preposition]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Roof is more commonly used than top in the context of buildings and structures, while top is more versatile and can be used to describe a wider range of objects.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between roof and top?
Both roof and top are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.