What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hoeing
Example
I spent the morning hoeing the garden to get rid of the weeds. [hoeing: gerund or present participle]
Example
She was hoeing the soil to create furrows for planting the seeds. [hoeing: verb]
digging
Example
He was digging a hole to plant the tree in the backyard. [digging: gerund or present participle]
Example
The archaeologists were digging for artifacts at the ancient site. [digging: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Digging is more commonly used than hoeing in everyday language. Digging is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hoeing is less common and is mainly used in gardening or landscaping contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between hoeing and digging?
Both hoeing and digging are associated with a casual and informal tone, making them suitable for use in everyday conversations or informal writing.