What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ingest
Example
It is important to ingest a balanced diet for good health. [ingest: verb]
Example
The doctor instructed the patient to ingest the medication with water. [ingesting: gerund or present participle]
swallow
Example
I can't swallow this pill, it's too big. [swallow: verb]
Example
The baby swallowed a toy and had to go to the hospital. [swallowed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Swallow is more commonly used than ingest in everyday language, as it is a simpler and more versatile term. Ingest is more commonly used in scientific or medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ingest and swallow?
Ingest is a more formal term than swallow, and is typically used in scientific or medical contexts. Swallow is more commonly used in everyday language and is considered less formal.
