What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tropism
Example
The plant exhibited positive tropism by growing towards the sunlight. [tropism: noun]
Example
The roots of the tree showed negative tropism by growing away from the rock. [tropism: adjective]
reaction
Example
His reaction to the news was one of shock and disbelief. [reaction: noun]
Example
The reaction between the acid and the base produced a salt and water. [reaction: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reaction is more commonly used than tropism in everyday language. Reaction is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tropism is less common and is typically used in a biological or scientific context.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tropism and reaction?
Tropism is typically associated with a formal and scientific tone, while reaction is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.