What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
backfiring
Example
His attempt to fix the car engine ended up backfiring and causing more damage. [backfiring: verb]
Example
The company's marketing campaign backfired when it offended a large portion of their target audience. [backfired: past tense]
misfire
Example
The gun misfired, causing the shooter to miss the target. [misfired: past tense]
Example
His attempt at a witty remark misfired and only resulted in awkward silence. [misfired: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Backfiring is more commonly used than misfire in everyday language. Backfiring is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while misfire is more specific and often used in technical or specialized discussions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between backfiring and misfire?
Both backfiring and misfire can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, misfire is more commonly used in technical or specialized discussions, making it slightly more formal in those contexts.
