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 song while she worked. [hummed: past tense]
Example
The garden was alive with the hum of bees. [hum: noun]
whir
Example
The drill whirred loudly as it cut through the metal. [whirred: past tense]
Example
The fan whirred as it spun around. [whirred: past tense]
Example
The hummingbird's wings made a soft whirring sound as it flew by. [whirring: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hum is more commonly used than whir in everyday language. Hum is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while whir is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between hums and whir?
Both hum and whir are relatively informal words, but hum may be slightly more formal due to its wider range of uses and associations with peacefulness or relaxation.
