What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
something
Example
I need to buy something for my friend's birthday. [something: pronoun]
Example
There's something strange about this place. [something: noun]
Example
She found something interesting in the old book. [something: pronoun]
thing
Example
I forgot to bring my things to the party. [things: plural noun]
Example
Happiness is a good thing to have in life. [thing: singular noun]
Example
The whole thing was a disaster from start to finish. [thing: singular noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thing is more commonly used than something in everyday language. Thing is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while something is less common and usually used in informal conversation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between something and thing?
While thing can be used in both formal and informal contexts, something is more informal and casual in tone and is typically avoided in formal writing or speech.
