What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
honing
Example
She spent hours honing her writing skills. [honing: verb]
Example
The team is honing their strategy for the upcoming game. [honing: present participle]
sharpening
Example
He sharpened his knife before starting to cook. [sharpened: past tense]
Example
The company is sharpening its marketing campaign to reach a wider audience. [sharpening: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sharpening is more commonly used than honing in everyday language. Sharpening is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while honing is less common and often used in specific contexts related to skills or abilities.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between honing and sharpening?
Both honing and sharpening can be used in various formality levels, allowing them to be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, honing may be perceived as more formal due to its association with refinement and mastery.
