What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spall
Example
The spall from the concrete wall hit the ground with a loud thud. [spall: noun]
Example
He used a hammer and chisel to spall off small pieces of the rock. [spall: verb]
fragment
Example
The forensic team found fragments of glass at the crime scene. [fragment: noun]
Example
The explosion fragmented the building into countless pieces. [fragment: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fragment is more commonly used than spall in everyday language. Fragment is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while spall is less common and is often used in technical or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spall and fragment?
Spall is typically associated with technical or specialized language, while fragment is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.