What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
harboring
Example
The fugitive was harbored by his friends until he could escape the country. [harbored: past tense verb]
Example
She was accused of harboring a criminal in her home. [harboring: gerund or present participle]
Example
He was harboring a grudge against his former boss for years. [harboring: present participle]
sheltering
Example
The homeless shelter was set up to shelter those in need during the winter months. [shelter: verb]
Example
The tree was sheltering us from the hot sun. [sheltering: gerund or present participle]
Example
She was sheltering her young child from the harsh realities of the world. [sheltering: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sheltering is more commonly used than harboring in everyday language. Sheltering is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while harboring is less common and typically used in legal or criminal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between harboring and sheltering?
While harboring is typically associated with a more formal or serious tone, sheltering is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
