What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
engraved
Example
The wedding rings were engraved with the couple's initials. [engraved: past participle]
Example
The artist engraved a beautiful landscape onto the copper plate. [engraved: verb]
carve
Example
He carved a statue out of a block of marble. [carved: past tense]
Example
She used a knife to carve intricate patterns into the wooden box. [carve: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Carve is more commonly used than engrave in everyday language. Carve is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while engrave is less common and often associated with specialized fields like jewelry-making or printing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between engraved and carve?
While engrave is typically associated with a formal and professional tone, carve is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
