What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
honing
Example
She spent years honing her writing skills to become a successful author. [honing: verb]
Example
The athlete is constantly honing his technique to improve his performance. [honing: gerund or present participle]
improving
Example
The company is always looking for ways to improve its products and services. [improve: verb]
Example
She has been steadily improving her language skills through practice and study. [improving: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Improving is more commonly used than honing in everyday language. Improving is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while honing is less common and typically used in relation to personal skills or abilities.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between honing and improving?
Both honing and improving are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
