What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
triangulate
Example
The surveyor triangulated the position of the building using a theodolite. [triangulated: past tense]
Example
The GPS system uses triangulation to determine the location of the user. [triangulation: noun]
measure
Example
She measured the length of the table with a tape measure. [measured: past tense]
Example
The teacher used a rubric to measure the students' performance on the assignment. [measure: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Measure is more commonly used than triangulate in everyday language. Measure is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts and is used frequently in both formal and informal settings. Triangulate is a more specialized term that is used primarily in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between triangulate and measure?
Triangulate is a more formal and technical term than measure, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.