What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mothballing
Example
The company decided to mothball the new factory until the market conditions improve. [mothballing: verb]
Example
The military often mothballs ships and planes during times of peace. [mothballing: present participle]
layoff
Example
The company had to lay off several employees due to the pandemic's impact on their revenue. [layoff: noun]
Example
The manager decided to lay off some workers to cut costs and increase profits. [layoff: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Layoff is more commonly used than mothballing in everyday language. Layoff is a term that is widely known and used in the context of employment, while mothballing is less common and more specific to certain industries or situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between mothballing and layoff?
Both mothballing and layoff are formal terms that are commonly used in business and organizational contexts. However, layoff may be considered more formal due to its widespread use and legal implications.