What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gasp
Example
She gasped in horror when she saw the accident. [gasp: verb]
Example
He took a gasp of air before diving into the pool. [gasp: noun]
Example
The audience gasped at the magician's trick. [gasped: past tense]
sighing
Example
She let out a sigh of relief when she heard the good news. [sigh: noun]
Example
He sighed heavily after a long day at work. [sighed: past tense]
Example
The breeze made the leaves sigh softly. [sigh: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sighing is more commonly used than gasp in everyday language. Sighing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gasp is less common and refers to a sudden and intense reaction to a stimulus.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between gasp and sighing?
While gasp is typically associated with a more informal tone, sighing can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.