What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dotting
Example
She was dotting the i's and crossing the t's on her essay. [dotting: present participle]
Example
The artist spent hours dotting the canvas with tiny specks of paint to create a unique texture. [dotting: gerund]
spotting
Example
I was spotting birds through my binoculars in the park. [spotting: present participle]
Example
The detective was spotting clues around the crime scene. [spotting: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spotting is more commonly used than dotting in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and can be used in various contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between dotting and spotting?
Both dotting and spotting are relatively informal words that can be used in casual conversations or creative contexts. However, spotting can also be used in more formal settings, such as scientific research or academic writing.
