What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mistrain
Example
The dog's aggressive behavior was due to mistraining by its previous owner. [mistraining: noun]
Example
The new employee struggled with the job because of mistraining by their previous employer. [mistraining: gerund or present participle]
overtax
Example
The athlete's body was overtaxed after competing in multiple events. [overtaxed: past tense]
Example
The teacher felt overtaxed by the demands of teaching during the pandemic. [overtaxed: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overtax is more commonly used than mistrain in everyday language. Overtax is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while mistrain is less common and more specific to situations involving training.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mistrain and overtax?
Both mistrain and overtax are formal words that are typically used in professional or academic contexts.