What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
moaning
Example
The patient was moaning in pain after the surgery. [moaning: verb]
Example
He kept moaning about how boring the lecture was. [moaning: gerund or present participle]
lamenting
Example
She was lamenting the loss of her beloved pet. [lamenting: verb]
Example
The poet wrote a lamenting verse about the passing of a loved one. [lamenting: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Moaning is more commonly used in everyday language than lamenting. Moaning is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while lamenting is more formal and often used in literary or poetic contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between moaning and lamenting?
Lamenting is a more formal word than moaning, and it is often used in literary or poetic contexts. Moaning is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.