What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tactful
Example
She was very tactful in the way she handled the difficult situation. [tactful: adjective]
Example
It's important to be tactful when giving feedback to avoid hurting someone's feelings. [tactful: adverb]
sensible
Example
It's sensible to save money for emergencies. [sensible: adjective]
Example
She made a sensible decision to postpone the project until more resources were available. [sensible: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sensible is more commonly used than tactful in everyday language. Sensible is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tactful is less common and refers to a specific type of behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tactful and sensible?
Both tactful and sensible can be used in formal and informal contexts, but tactful is more commonly associated with formal settings such as business or diplomacy, while sensible is more neutral and can be used in a wider range of contexts.