What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abstracting
Example
The article's abstract provided a concise summary of the research findings. [abstract: noun]
Example
She spent hours abstracting the key points from the lengthy report. [abstracting: verb]
extracting
Example
The dentist extracted my tooth because it was causing me pain. [extracted: past tense verb]
Example
The chemist is extracting the active ingredient from the plant for use in medicine. [extracting: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Extracting is more commonly used than abstracting in everyday language. Extracting is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while abstracting is more specific and often used in academic or research settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abstracting and extracting?
Both abstracting and extracting can be used in formal or informal contexts, depending on the situation. However, abstracting is more commonly used in academic or research contexts, which tend to be more formal.