Bail vs Bale
What’s the difference between them?
Bail
Meaning:
The release of a person from legal custody, usually on condition that a sum of money is lodged to guarantee their appearance in court.
Examples:
1. The judge set bail at $10,000 for the suspect.
2. The defendant was released on bail.
3. My brother had to ask his parents for money to pay his bail.
Bale
Meaning:
A bale is a large bundle of materials, typically compressed and tied together, such as hay, straw, or cotton.
Examples:
1. The farmer used the bale of hay to feed his horses.
2. The bale of straw was too heavy for me to lift.
3. The children created makeshift forts with the bales of hay.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Bail
1. Bond
2. Discharge
3. Release
4. Freedoms
5. Let Out on Parole
1. Confine
2. Detain
3. Imprison
4. Submit
5. Surrender
Bale
1. Bundle
2. Parcel
3. Package
4. Heap
5. Clump
1. Accumulate
2. Accrue
3. Gather
4. Amass
5. Hoard
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Bail", "Bale".
1. Bail is the release of a person from legal custody, usually on condition that a sum of money is lodged to guarantee their appearance in court.
2. Bale is a large bundle of materials, typically compressed and tied together, such as hay, straw, or cotton.
3. Bail is a noun, while bale is a verb.
4. Remember that bail is associated with legal matters like court appearances, while bale is related to bundles of material.
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Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the 'bail' be used?
Bail is typically used when a person is arrested and appears before a judge in court. The judge may set a bail amount and the person must pay the amount to be released from custody until their trial.
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'bale'?
A bale is typically used to describe a large bundle of material, such as hay, straw, or cotton. It is also used to describe other items that are tightly and securely bound together, such as paper or plastic products.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. Bail is pronounced with a long 'a' sound, while bale is pronounced with a short 'a' sound.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One of the most common mistakes people make when using these words is confusing the two. Bail is used when referring to the release of a person from legal custody and bale is used when referring to a large bundle of materials. Another common mistake is mispronouncing the words, as they have different pronunciations.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The judge decided to grant the defendant _______ on the condition that he pay the court a sum of money.
2. The prisoner was furious when he learned that his _______ had been set at such an exorbitant amount.
3. Farmers often transport their crops in large _______ for storage and trading.
4. After the accident, the police took the driver into custody and refused to grant _______.
5. The farmer was pleased when the merchant bought all of his _______ of hay.
6. The suspect was released from jail when a family member posted the _______.
Bail
Explanation: Bail refers to the release of a person awaiting trial on the condition that he/she pay a certain sum of money.
Bail
Explanation: Bail is used here as it is the sum of money set by the court for the release of the prisoner.
Bales
Explanation: Bales are bundles of hay, straw, or other materials used for storage and transportation.
Bail
Explanation: Bail is used here as it is the sum of money set by the court for the release of the prisoner.
Bales
Explanation: Bales are bundles of hay, straw, or other materials used for storage and trading.
Bail
Explanation: Bail refers to the release of a person awaiting trial on the condition that he/she pay a certain sum of money, which is typically posted by a family member.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.