What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hone
Example
I need to hone my public speaking skills before the presentation. [hone: verb]
Example
The athlete spent hours honing her technique on the field. [honing: gerund or present participle]
sharpen
Example
I need to sharpen my pencil before I can start writing. [sharpen: verb]
Example
The chef sharpened his knives before preparing the meal. [sharpened: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sharpen is more commonly used than hone in everyday language. Sharpen is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hone is less common and often used in more specific or specialized contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between hone and sharpen?
Both hone and sharpen are relatively formal words, but sharpen may be slightly more informal due to its common use in everyday language.
