What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hums
Example
The air conditioner hummed quietly in the background. [hums: verb]
Example
She hummed a tune while washing the dishes. [hummed: past tense]
Example
The garden was alive with the hum of bees. [hum: noun]
buzz
Example
The saw buzzed loudly as it cut through the wood. [buzzed: past tense]
Example
The office was abuzz with activity as everyone rushed to meet the deadline. [abuzz: adjective]
Example
The fly buzzed around the room, annoying everyone. [buzzed: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Buzz is more commonly used than hum in everyday language. Buzz is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hum is less common and often used in specific contexts such as describing machinery or singing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hums and buzz?
Both hums and buzzes can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but hums may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with machinery and electronics.
