What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
terms
Example
I don't understand the medical terms the doctor used to explain my diagnosis. [terms: noun]
Example
The legal terms of the contract were clearly outlined in the document. [terms: noun]
Example
The IT department uses a lot of technical terms that I'm not familiar with. [terms: noun]
duration
Example
The duration of the flight was six hours. [duration: noun]
Example
The concert had a duration of two hours. [duration: noun]
Example
The duration of the meeting was only thirty minutes. [duration: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Duration is more commonly used than terms in everyday language. Duration is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while terms is more specialized and often used in legal, medical, or technical fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between terms and duration?
Both terms and duration can be used in formal or informal contexts, but terms may be more commonly associated with formal or technical language.