What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
grab
Example
He grabbed the book from the shelf. [grabbed: past tense]
Example
I need to grab my keys before we leave. [grab: verb]
grasp
Example
She grasped the rope tightly to avoid falling. [grasped: past tense]
Example
I tried to grasp the meaning of the poem, but it was too complex. [grasp: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grab is more commonly used in everyday language than grasp. Grab is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while grasp is less common and tends to be used in more formal or academic settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between grab and grasp?
Grasp is generally considered more formal than grab. While grab is often used in casual or informal contexts, grasp is more commonly used in formal or academic settings.