What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
drip
Example
The faucet was dripping all night. [dripping: present participle]
Example
I could hear the raindrops dripping from the roof. [dripping: gerund]
Example
The patient's wound was still dripping blood. [dripping: verb]
drop
Example
I added a drop of vanilla extract to the cake batter. [drop: noun]
Example
She dropped the vase and it shattered into pieces. [dropped: past tense]
Example
The temperature dropped significantly overnight. [dropped: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Drop is more commonly used than drip in everyday language. Drop is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while drip is less common and is typically used in medical or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between drip and drop?
Both drip and drop are neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.