What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lunged
Example
The cat lunged at the mouse, trying to catch it. [lunged: verb]
Example
He lunged forward to grab the ball before it went out of bounds. [lunged: past tense]
dived
Example
She dived into the pool and swam to the other side. [dove: past tense]
Example
He quickly dove behind the wall to avoid being seen. [dove: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dived is more commonly used than lunged in everyday language. Dived is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while lunged is less common and has a more specific use.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lunged and dived?
Both lunged and dived are informal words, but lunged may be considered more aggressive and therefore less appropriate in formal settings.