What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
grabbing
Example
He grabbed the book from the shelf before anyone else could. [grabbed: past tense]
Example
I saw her grabbing for the last slice of pizza. [grabbing: present participle]
grasping
Example
She grasped the railing tightly as she walked down the stairs. [grasped: past tense]
Example
The surgeon used a grasping tool to remove the foreign object from the patient's body. [grasping: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grabbing is more commonly used in everyday language than grasping. Grabbing is a more casual and colloquial term that can be used in various contexts, while grasping is more formal and technical, often used in specific fields such as medicine or engineering.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between grabbing and grasping?
Grasping is a more formal and technical term than grabbing. It is often used in academic or professional contexts, while grabbing is more casual and colloquial, suitable for everyday conversations.
