What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tales
Example
Grandma used to tell us tales of her childhood in the countryside. [tales: noun]
Example
The book is full of fairy tales and mythical creatures. [tales: adjective]
story
Example
The news story covered the recent political scandal. [story: noun]
Example
She enjoys writing stories in her free time. [stories: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Story is more commonly used than tale in everyday language. Story is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tale is less common and often associated with traditional or folklore stories.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tales and story?
Both tales and stories can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but stories may be more versatile and appropriate for a wider range of situations.
