What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
carve
Example
He carved a beautiful sculpture out of a block of wood. [carved: past tense]
Example
The artist spent hours carving intricate patterns into the stone. [carving: present participle]
cut
Example
She cut the cake into equal slices for everyone. [cut: past tense]
Example
I need to cut this fabric to make a dress. [cut: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cut is more commonly used than carve in everyday language. Cut is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while carve is less common and is typically used in specific artistic or crafting contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between carve and cut?
While carve is associated with a more formal tone, cut is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.