What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pat
Example
She patted her son on the back to congratulate him on his achievement. [pat: verb]
Example
The baker was patting the dough to shape it into a loaf. [patting: gerund or present participle]
stroke
Example
She stroked her daughter's hair to soothe her to sleep. [stroke: verb]
Example
The musician was stroking the guitar strings to produce a beautiful melody. [stroking: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pat is more commonly used than stroke in everyday language. Pat is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stroke is less common and has a more specific meaning related to medical conditions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pat and stroke?
Stroke is more formal than pat and is typically used in more serious or professional contexts, such as medical or scientific discussions. Pat is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
