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 wet road and almost hit the guardrail. [fishtailed: past tense verb]
Example
The fish's tail fin was wide and powerful, allowing it to swim quickly through the water. [fishtail: noun]
swerve
Example
The driver had to swerve to avoid hitting the deer that ran across the road. [swerve: verb]
Example
The cyclist swerved to avoid the pothole in the road. [swerved: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Swerve is more commonly used than fishtail in everyday language. Swerve is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fishtail is less common and more specific to describing a car or motorcycle losing control.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fishtail and swerve?
Both fishtail and swerve are informal words and are not typically used in formal writing or speech.
