What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
penning
Example
The author spent months penning his latest novel. [penning: verb]
Example
The farmer was busy penning his sheep for the night. [penning: gerund or present participle]
fence
Example
The house had a white picket fence surrounding the yard. [fence: noun]
Example
The fencer skillfully parried his opponent's attack. [fence: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fence is more commonly used than penning in everyday language. Fence has a wider range of contexts and meanings, while penning is more specific and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between penning and fence?
Both penning and fence can be used in formal and informal contexts, but penning may be more commonly used in academic or literary settings due to its association with writing and composition.