What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
drifting
Example
The racecar driver expertly drifted around the hairpin turn. [drifted: past tense verb]
Example
The boat was drifting towards the shore due to the strong current. [drifting: present participle verb]
Example
The clouds were drifting lazily across the sky. [drifting: gerund noun]
sliding
Example
The hockey player slid across the ice to block the shot. [slid: past tense verb]
Example
The car slid on the icy road and crashed into a tree. [sliding: present participle verb]
Example
The stock market has been sliding for the past few weeks. [sliding: gerund noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sliding is more commonly used than drifting in everyday language. Sliding is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while drifting is less common and often associated with specific activities such as motorsports or boating.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between drifting and sliding?
Both drifting and sliding are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
