What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dig
Example
I need to dig a hole for the new tree. [dig: verb]
Example
The archaeologists dug up some ancient artifacts. [dug: past tense]
Example
He was digging in the garden with a shovel. [digging: gerund or present participle]
tunnel
Example
The train went through the tunnel under the mountain. [tunnel: noun]
Example
The miners tunneled through the rock to reach the ore. [tunneled: past tense]
Example
The ants tunneled through the sand to create their nest. [tunneling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dig is more commonly used than tunnel in everyday language. Dig is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tunnel is less common and refers specifically to creating a passage underground.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dig and tunnel?
While dig is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, tunnel is more formal and technical in nature, often used in engineering or construction contexts.
