What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
suburb
Example
I grew up in the suburbs and loved the sense of community there. [suburbs: noun]
Example
Many people choose to live in the suburbs for the lower cost of living and better quality of life. [suburbs: plural noun]
fringe
Example
The new shopping mall is located on the fringe of the city, near the highway. [fringe: noun]
Example
The fringe neighborhoods are often overlooked by developers, leading to neglect and disinvestment. [fringe: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Suburb is a more common term than fringe in everyday language, as it is a widely recognized concept in urban planning and development. Fringe is a more specialized term that may be used in certain contexts, such as discussing urban growth boundaries or regional planning.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between suburb and fringe?
Both suburb and fringe are relatively neutral in terms of formality, and can be used in a variety of contexts without sounding overly formal or informal.
