What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fixing
Example
I need to fix my bike before I can ride it again. [fix: verb]
Example
The mechanic is fixing the engine of the car. [fixing: present participle]
mending
Example
She is mending the hole in her shirt with a needle and thread. [mending: present participle]
Example
He spent the afternoon mending the fence in the backyard. [mending: gerund]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fixing is more commonly used than mending in everyday language, as it is a more versatile term that can be applied to a wider range of contexts. Mending is more commonly used in the context of repairing fabric or clothing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fixing and mending?
Both fixing and mending can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but fixing may be more commonly used in technical or professional settings, while mending may have a more traditional or old-fashioned connotation.
