What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fraying
Example
The hem of my jeans is fraying and needs to be fixed. [fraying: verb]
Example
The fraying relationship between the two countries led to increased tensions. [fraying: gerund or present participle]
unraveling
Example
The sweater is unraveling and needs to be fixed before it falls apart. [unraveling: verb]
Example
The plot of the movie was slowly unraveling, revealing unexpected twists and turns. [unraveling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unraveling is more commonly used than fraying in everyday language. Unraveling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fraying is less common and refers specifically to the edges of fabric or clothing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fraying and unraveling?
While fraying is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, unraveling can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
