What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abrased
Example
He had an abrased knee from falling off his bike. [abrased: adjective]
Example
The metal surface was abrased after years of use. [abrased: verb]
scratched
Example
She scratched her arm on the thorny bush. [scratched: verb]
Example
The table had a scratched surface from the cat's claws. [scratched: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scratched is more commonly used than abrased in everyday language. Scratched is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while abrased is less common and is mostly used in medical or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abrased and scratched?
Both abrased and scratched are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.