What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
kneel
Example
The congregation knelt in prayer during the church service. [kneel: verb]
Example
He knelt down to tie his shoelaces. [kneel: verb]
Example
He took a knee and proposed to her. [took a knee: idiom for kneeling]
bend
Example
She bent her knees to pick up the box. [bent: past tense of bend]
Example
The pipe was bent at a 90-degree angle. [bent: past participle of bend]
Example
The road took a sharp bend to the left. [bend: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bend is more commonly used than kneel in everyday language. Bend is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while kneel is less common and has a more specific connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between kneel and bend?
While kneel is typically associated with a formal or reverential tone, bend is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
