What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pinching
Example
The new shoes were pinching my toes, so I had to take them off. [pinching: verb]
Example
She was caught pinching candy from the store. [pinching: gerund or present participle]
Example
We had to start pinching pennies after losing our jobs. [pinching: gerund or present participle]
nipping
Example
The nipping wind made me wish I had brought a warmer jacket. [nipping: adjective]
Example
The puppy was nipping at my shoelaces while I tried to tie them. [nipping: verb]
Example
I was nipping the edges of the paper to make it fit in the frame. [nipping: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nipping is less common than pinching in everyday language. Pinching is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while nipping is more specific and limited in its usage.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between pinching and nipping?
Both pinching and nipping are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
