What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dragnet
Example
The fishermen used a dragnet to catch a large number of fish. [dragnet: noun]
Example
The police conducted a dragnet of the entire neighborhood to find the suspect. [dragnet: noun]
Example
We need to do a dragnet of all the company's records to find the missing documents. [dragnet: verb]
sweep
Example
I need to sweep the floor before the guests arrive. [sweep: verb]
Example
The investigators conducted a sweep of the entire building to find any clues. [sweep: noun]
Example
A wave of emotion swept over the crowd as they cheered for their team. [swept: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sweep is more commonly used than dragnet in everyday language. Sweep is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dragnet is less common and has a more specific meaning.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between dragnet and sweep?
Dragnet is typically associated with a formal and serious tone, while sweep can be used in both formal and informal contexts.