What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disambiguating
Example
The teacher spent time disambiguating the meaning of the word 'bass' for the students. [disambiguating: verb]
Example
Disambiguating homophones like 'there', 'their', and 'they're' can be challenging for English learners. [disambiguating: present participle]
interpreting
Example
The interpreter translated the speaker's words from Spanish to English. [interpreting: verb]
Example
Interpreting the results of a scientific study requires careful analysis and understanding. [interpreting: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Interpreting is more commonly used than disambiguating in everyday language. Interpreting is a versatile term that can be applied in many different contexts, while disambiguating is more specialized and often used in academic or technical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between disambiguating and interpreting?
Both disambiguating and interpreting can be used in formal and informal contexts, but disambiguating is more likely to be used in technical or academic writing, while interpreting can be used in a wider range of settings.
