What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ruts
Example
The car got stuck in the ruts on the dirt road. [ruts: noun]
Example
I feel like I'm stuck in a rut with my job and need a change. [rut: idiom]
monotony
Example
The monotony of his daily routine was starting to wear on him. [monotony: noun]
Example
The speaker's monotone voice made it hard to stay awake during the lecture. [monotone: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Monotony is more commonly used than ruts in everyday language. Monotony is a versatile word that can describe a wide range of situations, while ruts is more specific and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ruts and monotony?
Both ruts and monotony are relatively informal words that can be used in casual conversation or writing.