What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brightening
Example
She brightened the room by opening the curtains and letting in natural light. [brightened: past tense]
Example
The new paint color really brightened up the living room. [brightened: verb]
lightening
Example
She is lightening her hair by using a blonde dye. [lightening: present participle]
Example
The comedian's jokes helped to lighten the mood in the room. [lighten: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Brightening is more commonly used than lightening in everyday language. Brightening is versatile and can be applied to various contexts, while lightening is more specific and often used in the context of colors, moods, or situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between brightening and lightening?
Both brightening and lightening can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, brightening is generally more neutral and can be used in a wider range of formality levels, while lightening may have a slightly more casual or informal connotation.
