What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ruin
Example
The old castle was in ruins after the war. [ruins: noun]
Example
The fire ruined the entire house. [ruined: verb]
decay
Example
The fruit started to decay after being left out for too long. [decay: verb]
Example
The abandoned building showed signs of decay and neglect. [decay: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Decay is more commonly used than ruin in everyday language. Decay is a more versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while ruin is more specific and often used in more dramatic situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between ruin and decay?
Both ruin and decay can be used in formal and informal contexts, but ruin may be more appropriate in more serious or dramatic situations.
