What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
evaded
Example
The suspect evaded the police for weeks before finally being caught. [evaded: verb]
Example
She evaded the question by changing the subject. [evaded: past tense]
shirk
Example
He shirked his responsibilities and left the project unfinished. [shirked: verb]
Example
She was accused of shirking her duties by taking long breaks. [shirking: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shirk is less common than evade in everyday language. Evade is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while shirk is more specific and often used in the context of work or responsibility.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between evaded and shirk?
Both evade and shirk can be used in formal or informal contexts, but evade is generally considered more formal and neutral, while shirk has a more negative connotation and is often used in informal or colloquial language.
