What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fishtail
Example
The car fishtailed on the icy road and crashed into the guardrail. [fishtailed: past tense verb]
Example
The motorcycle fishtailed as the rider tried to avoid hitting the pothole. [fishtailing: gerund or present participle]
skid
Example
The car skidded on the wet pavement and hit the curb. [skidded: past tense verb]
Example
The truck went into a skid as the driver tried to brake suddenly. [skid: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Skid is more commonly used than fishtail in everyday language. Skid is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fishtail is less common and refers to a specific type of movement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fishtail and skid?
Both fishtail and skid are informal terms and are not typically used in formal writing or speech.
