What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cribbing
Example
The student was caught cribbing from a classmate's paper during the exam. [cribbing: verb]
Example
The journalist was accused of cribbing information from another news outlet's article. [cribbing: gerund or present participle]
copying
Example
Can you make a copy of this report for me? [copy: noun]
Example
The artist was accused of copying another artist's painting. [copying: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Copying is more commonly used than cribbing in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and can be used in various contexts. Cribbing is a more specific term that is mainly used in academic or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cribbing and copying?
Cribbing is a more formal term that is typically used in academic or professional contexts, while copying can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
