What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scrap
Example
She collected scraps of fabric to make a quilt. [scrap: noun]
Example
He scraped the last scraps of food from his plate. [scraps: plural noun]
Example
They had a scrap over who would get the last cookie. [scrap: noun]
fragment
Example
The archaeologist found a fragment of an ancient vase. [fragment: noun]
Example
The mirror shattered into fragments when it fell. [fragments: plural noun]
Example
The author included fragments of poetry in her novel. [fragments: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scrap is more commonly used in everyday language than fragment, particularly when referring to physical objects. However, fragment is more commonly used in academic or artistic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between scrap and fragment?
Both scrap and fragment are relatively informal words, but fragment may be slightly more formal due to its use in academic or artistic contexts.
