What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
marinating
Example
I am marinating the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. [marinating: present participle]
Example
The recipe calls for marinating the steak for at least two hours before grilling. [marinating: gerund]
pickling
Example
My grandmother used to pickle cucumbers every summer. [pickling: verb]
Example
The pickling solution consists of vinegar, salt, sugar, and dill. [pickling: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Marinating is more commonly used than pickling in everyday language. Marinating is a common cooking technique used in a variety of dishes, while pickling is more specific to preserving certain types of food.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between marinating and pickling?
Both marinating and pickling can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but marinating is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of settings.