What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
leaned
Example
He leaned against the wall while waiting for his friend. [leaned: past tense]
Example
She leaned forward to get a better view of the painting. [leaned: verb]
prop
Example
The bookshelf needed a prop to keep it from falling over. [prop: noun]
Example
He propped up the ladder against the wall before climbing up. [propped: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lean is more commonly used than prop in everyday language. Lean is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while prop is less common and refers to a specific type of support or stabilization.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between leaned and prop?
Both lean and prop are relatively informal words, but prop may be slightly more formal due to its technical connotation in certain contexts.