What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sill
Example
She sat on the window sill and watched the world go by. [sill: noun]
Example
The cat jumped onto the windowsill and looked outside. [windowsill: compound noun]
Example
The flowers were placed on the sill to get some sunlight. [sill: noun]
shelf
Example
He put the vase on the shelf above the fireplace. [shelf: noun]
Example
The library has many shelves filled with books. [shelves: plural noun]
Example
The hiker stood on the rocky shelf and looked out at the view. [shelf: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shelf is more commonly used than sill in everyday language. Shelf is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sill is less common and refers to a specific architectural feature.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sill and shelf?
While sill is typically associated with a technical or specialized tone, shelf is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
