What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
clumping
Example
The wet soil clumped together, making it difficult to separate. [clumped: past tense]
Example
The cat's fur tends to clump when it gets wet. [clumping: gerund or present participle]
agglomeration
Example
The agglomeration of dust on the bookshelf made it look dirty. [agglomeration: noun]
Example
The small beads agglomerated into a larger mass when heated. [agglomerated: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Clumping is more commonly used than agglomeration in everyday language. Clumping is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while agglomeration is less common and is often used in specialized fields or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between clumping and agglomeration?
While clumping is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, agglomeration is more commonly used in specialized fields or technical contexts, making it slightly more formal.