What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
woken
Example
I was woken up by the sound of my alarm clock. [woken: past participle]
Example
She has woken up early every day this week. [woken: verb]
awakened
Example
The sound of the thunder awakened me from my sleep. [awakened: past tense]
Example
He has awakened to the sound of birds chirping outside his window. [awakened: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Woken is more common in everyday language than awakened. It is a versatile word that can be used in various tenses and contexts. On the other hand, awakened is less common and is typically reserved for more formal or literary writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between woken and awakened?
Awakened is more formal and literary than woken. While woken can be used in both formal and informal contexts, awakened is typically associated with a more elevated or poetic tone.
