What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gaup
Example
Stop gauping at me like that, it's rude. [gaup: verb]
Example
The child was gauping at the magician's tricks with amazement. [gauping: gerund or present participle]
gape
Example
The audience gaped in horror as the monster appeared on stage. [gaped: past tense]
Example
The canyon was so vast that it seemed to gape open before us. [gape: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gape is more commonly used than gaup in everyday language. Gape is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gaup is less common and may be considered more informal or regional.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gaup and gape?
While gape can be used in both formal and informal contexts, gaup is typically associated with a more informal or regional tone.