What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
graphing
Example
I am graphing the results of my experiment to see if there is a correlation between the variables. [graphing: present participle]
Example
The teacher asked us to graph the equation y = 2x + 1 on the coordinate plane. [graph: verb]
plotting
Example
I am plotting the temperature readings on a line graph to see how they change over time. [plotting: present participle]
Example
The author spent months plotting the intricate storyline of her novel. [plotting: gerund]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Graphing is more commonly used than plotting in technical and scientific contexts, while plotting is more commonly used in literary and social science contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between graphing and plotting?
Graphing is typically associated with a more technical and formal tone, while plotting is associated with a more creative and imaginative tone, making it more suitable for informal contexts.
