Enclose vs. Enclosure

Attribute	Enclose	Enclosure
Definition	Surround or close off on all sides	A structure that surrounds or closes off an area
Verb	Enclose	Enclose
Noun	Enclosure	Enclosure
Usage	Can be used as a verb or noun	Primarily used as a noun
Examples	Enclose the garden with a fence	The enclosure housed the animals

Definition

Enclose and enclosure are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually have slightly different meanings. Enclose typically refers to the act of surrounding or enclosing something within a physical boundary. For example, you might enclose a garden with a fence. On the other hand, enclosure refers to the physical structure that surrounds or encloses something. For example, a garden enclosure might refer to the fence itself.

Function

When it comes to function, both enclose and enclosure serve the purpose of creating a boundary or barrier around something. This can be for practical reasons, such as keeping animals out of a garden, or for aesthetic reasons, such as creating a sense of privacy or security. Enclose is more commonly used as a verb to describe the action of creating a boundary, while enclosure is more commonly used as a noun to describe the physical structure that results from that action.

Materials

Both enclose and enclosure can be made from a variety of materials, depending on the purpose and desired aesthetic. Common materials for enclosures include wood, metal, plastic, and stone. These materials can be used to create fences, walls, or other structures that serve as boundaries. Enclose, on the other hand, can also refer to enclosing something within a material, such as enclosing a document within an envelope or enclosing a gift within wrapping paper.

Size

When it comes to size, enclose and enclosure can vary greatly. Enclose can refer to enclosing something as small as a letter or as large as a building. Enclosure, on the other hand, typically refers to larger structures that surround or enclose a space, such as a garden enclosure or an animal enclosure at a zoo. The size of an enclosure will depend on the purpose it serves and the space available for it.

Usage

Enclose and enclosure are both commonly used in everyday language, but they are often used in different contexts. Enclose is more commonly used in a general sense to describe the act of enclosing something within a boundary. For example, you might enclose a space with a fence or enclose a document within an envelope. Enclosure, on the other hand, is more commonly used to refer to specific structures that serve as boundaries, such as a pool enclosure or a sound enclosure.

Examples

• Enclose: The farmer decided to enclose his crops with a fence to keep out the deer.
• Enclosure: The garden enclosure was made of wrought iron and added a touch of elegance to the backyard.

Conclusion

While enclose and enclosure are often used interchangeably, they have slightly different meanings and connotations. Enclose typically refers to the act of enclosing something within a boundary, while enclosure refers to the physical structure that results from that action. Both terms serve the purpose of creating boundaries or barriers, but they are used in different contexts and with different nuances. Understanding the differences between enclose and enclosure can help you use these terms more accurately and effectively in your writing and communication.