What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hover
Example
The hummingbird can hover in mid-air while feeding on nectar. [hover: verb]
Example
The helicopter hovered above the building, waiting for further instructions. [hovered: past tense]
drift
Example
The clouds drifted across the sky, changing shape as they went. [drift: verb]
Example
The boat began to drift towards the shore as the wind picked up. [drifting: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Drift is more commonly used than hover in everyday language. Drift is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hover is less common and refers to specific types of movement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hover and drift?
Both hover and drift are relatively formal words, but hover may be slightly more formal due to its technical associations with aviation and engineering.
