What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stylo
Example
I need to buy a new stylo for my French class. [stylo: noun]
Example
The stylo wrote smoothly on the paper. [stylo: noun]
pen
Example
Can I borrow your pen to write down this phone number? [pen: noun]
Example
She pens her thoughts in a journal every night. [pens: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pen is more commonly used than stylo in everyday language. Pen is a versatile word that covers a wide range of writing instruments, while stylo is less common and more specific to a ballpoint pen.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stylo and pen?
While stylo may be considered more formal or sophisticated due to its French origin, pen is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
