What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inundate
Example
I was inundated with emails after my vacation. [inundated: past tense verb]
Example
The river overflowed and inundated the nearby town. [inundated: past participle adjective]
Example
The manager was inundated with requests for time off. [inundated: past participle verb]
swamped
Example
I'm swamped with work this week. [swamped: adjective]
Example
The basement was swamped after the heavy rain. [swamped: past participle adjective]
Example
The teacher was swamped with grading papers. [swamped: past participle verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Swamped is more commonly used than inundate in everyday language. Swamped is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while inundate is less common and mainly used in formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inundate and swamped?
Inundate is typically associated with a formal tone, while swamped is more informal and casual in tone.
