What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gripped
Example
He gripped the steering wheel tightly as he drove through the storm. [gripped: verb]
Example
The suspenseful movie had me gripped from beginning to end. [gripped: adjective]
grasped
Example
She grasped the handle of the door and pulled it open. [grasped: verb]
Example
I finally grasped the concept after reading the explanation several times. [grasped: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grasped is more commonly used than gripped in everyday language. Grasped is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gripped is less common and often used in figurative language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gripped and grasped?
Both gripped and grasped are considered formal words and can be used in formal writing or speech.
