What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
colliding
Example
The two cars collided at the intersection, causing a loud crash. [collided: past tense]
Example
The protesters and the police clashed violently during the demonstration. [clashed: past tense]
clashing
Example
My parents and I often clash over our different political views. [clash: verb]
Example
There was a clash of cultures when the international students arrived. [clash: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Clashing is more commonly used than colliding in everyday language. Clashing is versatile and can be used to describe conflicts in various contexts, while colliding is more specific to physical collisions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between colliding and clashing?
Both colliding and clashing can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, colliding is more commonly used in technical or scientific discussions, while clashing is used more broadly in everyday conversations.
