What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gravitate
Example
I tend to gravitate towards books that explore different cultures. [gravitate: verb]
Example
She has always gravitated towards artistic and creative people. [gravitated: past tense]
Example
The planets in our solar system gravitate towards the sun. [gravitate: verb]
drift
Example
Over time, her interests began to drift towards more academic pursuits. [drift: verb]
Example
The boat began to drift aimlessly in the open sea. [drift: verb]
Example
He felt like his life was drifting out of control. [drifting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Drift is more commonly used than gravitate in everyday language. Drift is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gravitate is less common and tends to be used in more specific or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between gravitate and drift?
Gravitate is typically associated with a more formal or academic tone, while drift is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.