What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cleave
Example
The chef used a cleaver to cleave the meat into smaller pieces. [cleave: verb]
Example
The earthquake caused the ground to cleave apart, creating a deep fissure. [cleave: verb]
chop
Example
He chopped the wood into logs for the fireplace. [chopped: past tense]
Example
She likes to chop vegetables into small cubes for her stir-fry. [chop: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Chop is more commonly used than cleave in everyday language. Chop is versatile and can be used in various contexts, especially in cooking and food preparation. On the other hand, cleave is less common and is often used in specific situations where a strong and forceful cutting action is required.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cleave and chop?
While cleave is typically associated with a more formal tone, chop is more commonly used in informal contexts. However, both words can be used in different formality levels depending on the specific context.
