Extol vs Extoll: When To Use Each One? What To Consider

When it comes to writing, choosing the right words is crucial. One such pair of words that often confuses writers is extol and extoll. Both are verbs that sound and look similar, but are they interchangeable? Let’s find out.

It’s important to note that both extol and extoll are correct spellings of the same word. The only difference is in their spelling, with extol being the American English version and extoll being the British English version.

Now, let’s look at their meanings. To extol means to praise or glorify something or someone highly. It is often used to express admiration or approval. On the other hand, to extoll means to praise or laud someone or something enthusiastically. Essentially, both words mean the same thing, but extoll is considered a more emphatic version of extol.

In this article, we will explore the usage of these two words in more detail and provide examples of how they can be used correctly in a sentence. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of when to use extol and when to use extoll.

Define Extol

Extol is a verb that means to praise or glorify something or someone highly. It is often used to express admiration or appreciation for a particular quality or attribute of a person, object, or idea. Synonyms of extol include laud, acclaim, eulogize, and commend.

Define Extoll

Extoll is a variant spelling of extol, which means to praise or glorify something or someone highly. The difference between extoll and extol is simply a matter of spelling, and both words have the same meaning and usage. However, extoll is less commonly used than extol, and some people consider it to be an archaic or outdated spelling.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Proper usage of words is essential in effective communication. Choosing the right word can make all the difference in conveying the intended message. In this section, we will discuss how to use the words “extol” and “extoll” in a sentence.

How To Use “Extol” In A Sentence

The word “extol” is a verb that means to praise or glorify. It is often used to express admiration or approval of someone or something. Here are some examples of how to use “extol” in a sentence:

• She always extols the virtues of living a healthy lifestyle.
• The coach extolled the team’s efforts in the championship game.
• Many people extol the benefits of meditation for reducing stress.

As shown in the examples, “extol” is typically followed by the object of the praise or admiration.

How To Use “Extoll” In A Sentence

The word “extoll” is a variant of “extol” that is more commonly used in British English. It has the same meaning as “extol” and can be used interchangeably. Here are some examples of how to use “extoll” in a sentence:

• The book extolls the virtues of a plant-based diet for improving health.
• The speaker extolled the company’s commitment to sustainability.
• Many religious texts extoll the virtues of compassion and forgiveness.

Just like “extol,” “extoll” is typically followed by the object of the praise or admiration.

Overall, “extol” and “extoll” are powerful words that can be used to express admiration, praise, and approval. By using them correctly in a sentence, you can effectively communicate your message and convey your intended meaning.

More Examples Of Extol & Extoll Used In Sentences

Here are some additional examples of how to use “extol” and “extoll” in sentences:

Examples Of Using Extol In A Sentence

• The coach would often extol the virtues of hard work to his players.
• She would always extol the beauty of nature to her children.
• Many people extol the benefits of meditation for reducing stress.
• The book extols the virtues of a plant-based diet.
• The company’s website extols the benefits of their new product.
• He was quick to extol the virtues of his favorite sports team.
• The speaker took the opportunity to extol the importance of education.
• The politician used the podium to extol the virtues of his policies.
• She would often extol the importance of kindness and compassion.
• The article extols the benefits of regular exercise for mental health.

Examples Of Using Extoll In A Sentence

• The author extolls the virtues of living a simple life in his latest book.
• The company’s marketing campaign extolls the benefits of their new product.
• She would often extoll the virtues of her grandmother’s cooking.
• The coach extolled the team’s hard work and dedication after the game.
• The professor extolled the merits of critical thinking in his lecture.
• The article extolls the importance of creativity in the workplace.
• The speaker extolled the benefits of volunteering for the community.
• The celebrity extolled the virtues of a healthy lifestyle in her interview.
• The book extolls the importance of forgiveness and empathy.
• The politician extolled the benefits of his proposed policy during the debate.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “extol” and “extoll,” many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings, and using them incorrectly can result in confusion and miscommunication.

Highlighting Common Mistakes

One common mistake people make is using “extol” when they mean “extoll” or vice versa. “Extol” means to praise highly or to glorify, while “extoll” means to praise or to honor. Therefore, using “extol” to mean “extoll” can result in a sentence that doesn’t make sense.

Another mistake is using “extol” or “extoll” in the wrong context. For example, using “extol” to describe an inanimate object or a non-living thing is incorrect. “Extol” is used to express admiration or praise for a person or a living thing.

Tips For Avoiding Mistakes

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, it’s essential to understand the differences between “extol” and “extoll.” One way to do this is to read examples of both words used in context. This will help you get a better sense of how they are used and what they mean.

Another tip is to use a dictionary or a thesaurus to look up the meanings of these words. This can help you avoid using them incorrectly and ensure that you are using the right word in the right context.

Finally, it’s important to proofread your writing carefully to make sure that you haven’t made any mistakes. This will help you catch any errors before you submit your work or publish it online.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “extol” and “extoll” can be tricky as it depends on the context in which they are used. Both words have similar meanings and are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences that must be considered.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “extol” and “extoll” might change:

Context	Word Choice	Explanation
Formal Writing	Extol	In formal writing, “extol” is the preferred choice as it is considered more sophisticated and professional.
Informal Writing	Extoll	In informal writing, “extoll” is more commonly used as it is considered more casual and conversational.
British English	Extol	In British English, “extol” is the standard spelling and is used more frequently than “extoll.”
American English	Extol or Extoll	In American English, both “extol” and “extoll” are acceptable and can be used interchangeably.
Religious Context	Extol	In religious contexts, “extol” is often used to praise or glorify a deity or spiritual figure.

As you can see, the choice between “extol” and “extoll” can vary depending on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the tone, audience, and purpose of your writing before deciding which word to use.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the use of extol and extoll follows a set of rules, there are some exceptions where these rules might not apply. Here are some of the instances where the use of these two words can be different:

When Used In British English

In British English, the use of extol is more common than extoll. However, both words are considered acceptable and interchangeable. This is different from American English where extol is less commonly used.

When Used In Poetry

In poetry, the rules for using extol and extoll can be more flexible. Poets often use these two words interchangeably to fit the rhythm and meter of their verses. For example:

Let us extol the beauty of the night,

And extoll the stars that shine so bright.

When Used In Religious Contexts

In religious contexts, the use of extol and extoll can be interchangeable. Both words are often used to praise God or express admiration for a religious figure. For example:

Let us extol the virtues of the Lord,

And extoll the teachings of the Holy Word.

When Used In Informal Speech

In informal speech, the rules for using extol and extoll can be more relaxed. People often use these two words interchangeably without any strict adherence to the rules. For example:

• “I just wanted to extol/extoll the virtues of this amazing restaurant.”
• “She always extols/extolls the benefits of yoga.”

While it is still important to use the correct word in formal writing, in informal speech, the use of these two words can be more flexible.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a better understanding of the differences between extol and extoll, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. The following exercises will help you improve your usage of these words in sentences.

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (extol or extoll) to fill in the blank in each of the following sentences:

1. The coach ___________ed the team’s efforts after their victory.
2. The book ___________s the virtues of hard work and perseverance.
3. We should ___________ the bravery of those who serve in the military.
4. It’s important to ___________ the accomplishments of others.

Answers:

1. The coach extolled the team’s efforts after their victory.
2. The book extols the virtues of hard work and perseverance.
3. We should extol the bravery of those who serve in the military.
4. It’s important to extol the accomplishments of others.

Exercise 2: Sentence Writing

Write a sentence using each of the following words:

• Extol
• Extolling
• Extolled

Answers:

• I will extol the virtues of a healthy lifestyle.
• The professor was extolling the benefits of studying abroad.
• The company extolled the features of their new product in their marketing campaign.

By practicing with these exercises, you’ll be able to confidently use extol and extoll in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the usage of extol and extoll has been a topic of confusion for many writers. However, after delving into the differences between these two words, it is clear that they are not interchangeable.

It is important to remember that extol is the correct spelling in American English, while extoll is commonly used in British English. Moreover, extol is a verb that means to praise highly or to glorify, while extoll is a rare spelling of the same word.

When writing, it is crucial to use the correct spelling of words to avoid confusing your readers. In addition, it is essential to continue learning about grammar and language use to improve your writing skills.

Here are the key takeaways from this article:

• Extol and extoll are not interchangeable.
• Extol is the correct spelling in American English, while extoll is commonly used in British English.
• Extol is a verb that means to praise highly or to glorify, while extoll is a rare spelling of the same word.
• Using the correct spelling of words is crucial to avoid confusing your readers.
• Continuing to learn about grammar and language use is essential to improve your writing skills.

By keeping these takeaways in mind, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and effective.