What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
interleaving
Example
The teacher used interleaving to mix up the order of the questions on the quiz. [interleaving: noun]
Example
The artist created a beautiful quilt by interleaving different fabrics together. [interleaving: verb]
alternating
Example
The team took turns alternating between offense and defense during the game. [alternating: verb]
Example
The flashing lights on the ambulance were alternating red and blue. [alternating: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alternating is more commonly used than interleaving in everyday language. Alternating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while interleaving is less common and tends to be used in more specific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between interleaving and alternating?
Both interleaving and alternating can be used in formal and informal contexts, but interleaving may have a more technical or specialized connotation that makes it more appropriate for formal or academic writing.
