What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
captioning
Example
The video was captioned in multiple languages to make it accessible to a wider audience. [captioned: past tense]
Example
The captioning on the image helped me understand the context of the scene. [captioning: noun]
subtitling
Example
I prefer watching foreign films with subtitles so that I can understand the dialogue. [subtitles: noun]
Example
The movie was subtitled in English for international audiences. [subtitled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Subtitling is more commonly used than captioning in the context of movies, TV shows, and online videos. It is widely used to make foreign films accessible to international audiences. Captioning, on the other hand, is commonly used in videos and images that have spoken content and require accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between captioning and subtitling?
Both captioning and subtitling can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, captioning is often associated with a more formal tone due to its focus on accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
