What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
evasive
Example
The politician was being evasive when asked about his stance on the issue. [evasive: adjective]
Example
She gave an evasive answer when asked about her whereabouts last night. [evasive: adjective]
avoiding
Example
He is avoiding his ex-girlfriend after their breakup. [avoiding: verb]
Example
She is avoiding eating sweets to maintain a healthy diet. [avoiding: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Avoiding is more commonly used than evasive in everyday language. Avoiding is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while evasive is less common and more specific to situations where someone is avoiding giving a direct answer or response.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between evasive and avoiding?
Both evasive and avoiding can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, evasive may be seen as more formal due to its specific usage in certain professional settings such as politics or law.