What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pedantry
Example
His pedantry made him unpopular among his colleagues. [pedantry: noun]
Example
She was accused of pedantry for insisting on using the correct grammar in casual conversation. [pedantry: noun]
quibbling
Example
Stop quibbling over the small stuff and focus on the bigger picture. [quibbling: verb]
Example
Their quibbling over the seating arrangement delayed the meeting. [quibbling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Quibbling is more commonly used than pedantry in everyday language. Quibbling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pedantry is less common and refers to a specific type of behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pedantry and quibbling?
While pedantry is typically associated with a formal and academic tone, quibbling is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.