What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
moistening
Example
She was moistening the soil before planting the seeds. [moistening: verb]
Example
The chef recommended moistening the cake with a simple syrup. [moistening: gerund or present participle]
wetting
Example
He was wetting his hair before applying shampoo. [wetting: verb]
Example
The rain was wetting the ground, making it muddy. [wetting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wetting is more commonly used than moistening in everyday language. Wetting is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while moistening is less common and is typically used in specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between moistening and wetting?
Both moistening and wetting are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.