What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unlay
Example
He had to unlay the rope to fix the knot. [unlay: verb]
Example
The sailor unlayed the rope to check for any damage. [unlayed: past tense]
unravel
Example
She had to unravel the tangled yarn before she could start knitting. [unravel: verb]
Example
The detective was able to unravel the mystery and solve the case. [unravel: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unravel is more commonly used than unlay in everyday language. Unravel has a wider range of contexts and can be used metaphorically to describe various situations, while unlay is more specific and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unlay and unravel?
Both unlay and unravel are considered formal words and are not commonly used in casual conversation. However, unravel may be more commonly used in academic or professional settings due to its metaphorical usage in problem-solving contexts.
