What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dissolving
Example
The salt is dissolving in the water. [dissolving: present participle]
Example
I am dissolving the powder in the liquid. [dissolving: verb]
liquefaction
Example
The heat caused the ice to undergo liquefaction. [liquefaction: noun]
Example
Liquefaction of the wax was necessary before it could be poured into the mold. [liquefaction: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dissolving is a more common term than liquefaction in everyday language, as it is used in various contexts such as cooking, chemistry, and medicine. Liquefaction is a more specialized term used mainly in geology and materials science.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dissolving and liquefaction?
Both dissolving and liquefaction are technical terms used in scientific fields, so they are generally considered formal words. However, dissolving is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while liquefaction is more specific and may be less familiar to non-experts.