What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
litigate
Example
The company decided to litigate the issue in court. [litigate: verb]
Example
The parties involved in the dispute are currently litigating the matter. [litigating: present participle]
sue
Example
The victim decided to sue the company for negligence. [sue: verb]
Example
The plaintiff is seeking to sue for damages caused by the defendant. [suing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sue is more commonly used than litigate in everyday language. Sue is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while litigate is a more formal term that is typically used in legal settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between litigate and sue?
Litigate is a more formal term than sue and is typically used in legal contexts. It is more appropriate to use litigate in formal or professional settings, while sue can be used in both formal and informal contexts.