What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ashamed
Example
He felt ashamed of his behavior at the party. [ashamed: adjective]
Example
She was ashamed to admit that she had lied. [ashamed: infinitive verb]
embarrassed
Example
She was embarrassed when she tripped and fell in front of everyone. [embarrassed: past tense verb]
Example
He felt embarrassed by his friend's rude comment. [embarrassed: preposition + noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Embarrassed is more commonly used than ashamed in everyday language. Embarrassed is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while ashamed is less common and tends to be used in more formal or serious situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between ashamed and embarrassed?
While ashamed is typically associated with a more formal or serious tone, embarrassed is more commonly used in informal conversations. However, both words can be used in different formality levels depending on the context.
