What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
crumble
Example
The old building began to crumble under the weight of the heavy snow. [crumble: verb]
Example
The cake started to crumble as I cut into it. [crumbling: gerund or present participle]
deteriorate
Example
The condition of the road began to deteriorate after years of neglect. [deteriorate: verb]
Example
The quality of the product has deteriorated since they changed the manufacturing process. [deteriorating: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deteriorate is more commonly used than crumble in everyday language. Deteriorate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while crumble is less common and typically used in specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between crumble and deteriorate?
Both crumble and deteriorate are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
