What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fending
Example
She was fending off the attacker with a stick. [fending: present participle]
Example
He is fending for himself since he moved out of his parents' house. [fending: gerund]
defending
Example
The soldiers were defending their country from the enemy. [defending: present participle]
Example
She was defending her thesis in front of the committee. [defending: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Defending is more commonly used than fending in everyday language. Defending is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fending is less common and refers to a more specific type of protection or coping.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fending and defending?
While fending is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, defending can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
