What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
strain
Example
I strained my back lifting the heavy box. [strained: past tense]
Example
The athlete suffered a muscle strain during the game. [strain: noun]
Example
The project put a strain on our resources and required a lot of hard work. [strain: noun]
stress
Example
I'm feeling stressed out about the upcoming exam. [stressed: adjective]
Example
The job was so stressful that it affected my health. [stressful: adjective]
Example
The pandemic has caused a lot of stress and uncertainty for many people. [stress: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stress is more commonly used than strain in everyday language. Stress is a common experience for many people, especially in today's fast-paced and demanding world. Strain is less common and is typically used in specific contexts related to physical activity or effort.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between strain and stress?
Both strain and stress can be used in formal and informal contexts, but stress is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
