What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sever
Example
The rope was severed by the sharp rock. [sever: verb]
Example
The company decided to sever ties with their unreliable supplier. [sever: verb]
Example
The surgeon had to sever the damaged nerve to prevent further damage. [sever: verb]
split
Example
She split the apple in half with a knife. [split: verb]
Example
The team decided to split into smaller groups to cover more ground. [split: verb]
Example
The wood split in half when it was hit by the axe. [split: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Split is more commonly used than sever in everyday language. Split is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sever is less common and typically used in more formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sever and split?
Sever is more formal and technical than split, and is often used in legal or medical contexts. Split is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
