What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tongues
Example
The taste of the food was so good, it made my tongue water. [tongue: noun]
Example
He spoke in his native tongue to his family. [tongue: noun]
Example
She is fluent in several tongues, including French and Spanish. [tongues: plural noun]
language
Example
English is a widely spoken language around the world. [language: noun]
Example
She has a talent for learning new languages quickly. [languages: plural noun]
Example
The author's use of language in the novel was both poetic and descriptive. [language: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Language is a more commonly used term in everyday language, while tongues is less common and often has a religious connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tongues and language?
Language is a more versatile term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while tongues is typically associated with a more formal or religious tone.
