What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abet
Example
He was charged with abetting the thief in stealing the jewelry. [abetting: verb]
Example
The company was accused of abetting the pollution of the river by dumping waste into it. [abetting: gerund or present participle]
aid
Example
The organization provided aid to the victims of the earthquake. [aid: noun]
Example
She aided her friend in preparing for the exam by sharing study materials. [aided: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Aid is a more commonly used word than abet in everyday language. Aid is versatile and can be used in a wide range of contexts, while abet is less common and usually only used in legal or criminal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abet and aid?
Both abet and aid can be used in formal or informal contexts, but abet is more likely to be used in legal or criminal contexts, which tend to be more formal.