What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
darn
Example
She learned how to darn her socks from her grandmother. [darn: verb]
Example
The hole in my sweater was too big to darn, so I had to patch it. [darn: infinitive]
patch
Example
I need to sew a patch onto my jeans where the hole is. [patch: noun]
Example
She patched up the tear in her dress with a piece of fabric from her scrap bin. [patched: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Patch is more commonly used than darn in everyday language. Patch is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while darn is less common and refers specifically to repairing small holes or tears in fabric.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between darn and patch?
While darn is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, patch is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
