What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
avoiding
Example
She is avoiding her ex-boyfriend because she wants to move on. [avoiding: verb]
Example
I am avoiding eating sweets to maintain a healthy diet. [avoiding: gerund or present participle]
evading
Example
The thief managed to evade the police by hiding in an abandoned building. [evade: verb]
Example
He is evading the question because he doesn't want to reveal the truth. [evading: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Avoiding is more commonly used than evading in everyday language. Avoiding is a versatile word that covers a wide range of situations, while evading is less common and tends to be used in more specific or formal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between avoiding and evading?
While avoiding is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, evading has a more formal tone and is often associated with avoiding questions or issues in a deceptive or dishonest manner.