What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
salience
Example
The salience of the issue was clear to everyone in the room. [salience: noun]
Example
The salient point of the argument was that we needed to act quickly. [salient: adjective]
prominence
Example
The prominence of the building made it easy to find. [prominence: noun]
Example
The prominent scientist was invited to speak at the conference. [prominent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prominence is more commonly used than salience in everyday language. Prominence is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while salience is less common and tends to be used in more specialized contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between salience and prominence?
Salience is typically associated with a more formal tone due to its academic and technical usage, while prominence is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.