What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
begrudge
Example
She begrudged her friend's success and couldn't help but feel envious. [begrudged: past tense verb]
Example
He begrudgingly agreed to lend his car to his sister for the weekend. [begrudgingly: adverb]
grudge
Example
She held a grudge against her neighbor for years after their disagreement. [grudge: noun]
Example
He still grudges her for betraying his trust. [grudges: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grudge is more commonly used than begrudge in everyday language. Grudge is a versatile word that can be used to describe long-lasting negative feelings, while begrudge is less common and often used in specific contexts related to envy or reluctance.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between begrudge and grudge?
Both begrudge and grudge are generally informal words. However, begrudge can be used in more formal contexts when expressing reluctance or envy, while grudge is typically used in informal conversations or writing.