What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nicking
Example
I accidentally nicked my finger while slicing vegetables. [nicked: verb]
Example
The carpenter is nicking the wood to create a decorative edge. [nicking: present participle]
notching
Example
The hunter notched his arrow before shooting it. [notched: past tense]
Example
The tailor is notching the fabric to create a decorative border. [notching: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nicking is more commonly used than notching in everyday language. Nicking is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while notching is more specific and often used in technical or specialized fields.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between nicking and notching?
Both nicking and notching are informal terms that can be used in casual conversations or technical settings. However, notching may be considered more formal due to its association with specialized fields such as woodworking or metalworking.