What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
evading
Example
The criminal was evading the police by hiding in the abandoned building. [evading: verb]
Example
He kept evading my questions about his whereabouts last night. [evading: gerund or present participle]
shirking
Example
He was shirking his responsibilities by not showing up to work. [shirking: verb]
Example
She accused him of shirking his duties as a parent. [shirking: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shirking is less common than evading in everyday language. Evading is more versatile and can be used in various contexts, while shirking is more specific to work or responsibility-related situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between evading and shirking?
Both evading and shirking are informal words, but shirking may be considered slightly more informal due to its association with laziness or irresponsibility.
