What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
clopping
Example
We could hear the clopping of the horse's hooves as it approached. [clopping: noun]
Example
The sound of clopping echoed through the street as the carriage passed by. [clopping: present participle]
pounding
Example
I could hear the pounding of the construction workers' hammers from my apartment. [pounding: noun]
Example
Her heart was pounding in her chest as she waited for the results. [pounding: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pounding is more commonly used than clopping in everyday language. Pounding is versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while clopping is more specific to the sound of a horse's hooves or walking with hard-soled shoes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between clopping and pounding?
While clopping is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, pounding can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Pounding is often used to describe intense or powerful sounds, which can be appropriate in formal settings as well.