What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
studious
Example
She is a studious student who always gets good grades. [studious: adjective]
Example
He spent the whole weekend in the library, being studious. [studious: gerund or present participle]
diligent
Example
She is a diligent worker who always meets her deadlines. [diligent: adjective]
Example
He diligently worked on the project until it was completed. [diligently: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Diligent is more commonly used than studious in everyday language. Diligent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while studious is less common and refers specifically to academic or intellectual pursuits.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between studious and diligent?
Both studious and diligent can be used in formal and informal contexts, but studious is more likely to be used in academic or intellectual contexts, which tend to be more formal.