What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stipulate
Example
The contract stipulates that the work must be completed within six months. [stipulates: verb]
Example
One of the stipulations of the rental agreement is no pets allowed. [stipulations: noun]
dictate
Example
The boss dictated a memo to his assistant. [dictated: verb]
Example
The weather conditions dictated that the event be postponed. [dictated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dictate is more commonly used than stipulate in everyday language. Dictate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stipulate is less common and refers to a specific type of requirement or condition.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between stipulate and dictate?
Both stipulate and dictate can be used in formal contexts, but stipulate is more commonly associated with legal or contractual language, making it more formal in tone.
