What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mop
Example
I need to buy a new mop for the kitchen. [mop: noun]
Example
She mopped the floor after the party. [mopped: past tense verb]
Example
He's mopping the hallway right now. [mopping: present participle verb]
swab
Example
The nurse used a swab to clean the wound. [swab: noun]
Example
He swabbed the inside of his cheek for a DNA test. [swabbed: past tense verb]
Example
She's swabbing the keyboard to remove the dust. [swabbing: present participle verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mop is more commonly used than swab in everyday language. Mop is a versatile cleaning tool that is used in many households and commercial settings, while swab is more commonly used in medical or laboratory settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mop and swab?
Swab is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, while mop is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
