What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shares
Example
I bought some shares in Apple last year. [shares: noun]
Example
The company issued 100,000 shares of stock. [shares: noun]
stocks
Example
The company's stocks have been performing well this quarter. [stocks: noun]
Example
I'm thinking of investing in some tech stocks. [stocks: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stocks is more commonly used than shares in American English, while shares is more common in British English. However, both words are widely used in finance and investment contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shares and stocks?
Both shares and stocks are formal terms used in finance and investment contexts. However, stocks may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with the stock market and corporate finance.
