What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
grieving
Example
She is still grieving the loss of her father. [grieving: present participle]
Example
The family is going through a period of grieving after the sudden death of their son. [grieving: noun]
bereavement
Example
The family is still in a state of bereavement after the loss of their mother. [bereavement: noun]
Example
The counselor provided support to the bereaved family members. [bereaved: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bereavement is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as legal documents or medical settings, while grieving is more commonly used in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between grieving and bereavement?
Bereavement is more formal than grieving, which is more commonly used in everyday language.
