What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
elbowing
Example
He was elbowing his way through the crowd to get to the front. [elbowing: present participle]
Example
She gave him a quick elbowing to get his attention. [elbowing: noun]
jostling
Example
The commuters were jostling each other to get onto the train. [jostling: present participle]
Example
He felt a jostling as someone bumped into him from behind. [jostling: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jostling is more commonly used than elbowing in everyday language. Jostling is a more versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while elbowing is less common and more specific to situations where one uses their elbow to make space or move through a crowd.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between elbowing and jostling?
Both elbowing and jostling are informal terms that are not appropriate for formal situations. However, jostling is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels than elbowing.
