What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gird
Example
He girded his waist with a leather belt. [gird: verb]
Example
She girded herself for the upcoming debate by practicing her arguments. [girded: past tense]
Example
The bridge was girded with steel cables for added stability. [girded: past participle]
surround
Example
The castle was surrounded by a moat. [surrounded: past tense]
Example
The city is surrounded by mountains on all sides. [surround: verb]
Example
The police surrounded the building to catch the suspect. [surrounded: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Surround is more commonly used than gird in everyday language. Surround is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gird is less common and more specific in usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gird and surround?
Gird has a more archaic or formal connotation, while surround is more commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
