What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ditching
Example
He ditched his old car and bought a new one. [ditched: past tense]
Example
She ditched her friends at the party and went home early. [ditching: present participle]
discarding
Example
I am discarding these old clothes that no longer fit me. [discarding: present participle]
Example
The company is discarding its outdated technology and investing in new equipment. [discarded: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Discarding is more commonly used than ditching in everyday language, especially in professional or formal contexts. Ditching is less common and often has a negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ditching and discarding?
Discarding is generally more formal than ditching, which is often used in casual or informal contexts.