What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
haggled
Example
He haggled with the salesman to get a lower price for the car. [haggled: past tense]
Example
The two parties haggled over the terms of the contract for hours. [haggled: past participle]
quibble
Example
She always quibbles about the smallest things, it's so annoying. [quibbles: verb]
Example
His quibbling over the phrasing of the proposal delayed the project. [quibbling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Haggling is more commonly used than quibbling in everyday language. Haggling is a common practice in many cultures and is often associated with buying and selling goods or services. Quibbling, on the other hand, is less common and is typically used in more formal or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between haggled and quibble?
Quibbling is generally considered more formal than haggling. Quibbling is often used in legal or academic contexts, while haggling is more commonly used in informal or everyday situations.