What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
monitoring
Example
The doctor is monitoring the patient's vital signs closely. [monitoring: present participle]
Example
The company is monitoring its employees' internet usage. [monitoring: gerund]
watching
Example
I love watching the sunset from my balcony. [watching: present participle]
Example
The lifeguard is watching the swimmers in the pool. [watching: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Watching is more commonly used than monitoring in everyday language. Watching is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while monitoring is less common and often used in professional or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between monitoring and watching?
Monitoring is typically associated with a more formal tone, while watching is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
