What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pinion
Example
The pinion on the motor was damaged and needed to be replaced. [pinion: noun]
Example
The bird's pinions were spread wide as it soared through the sky. [pinions: plural noun]
Example
The captors pinioned the prisoner's arms behind his back. [pinioned: verb]
gear
Example
I need to replace the gears in my bike to make it easier to ride uphill. [gears: plural noun]
Example
The hiker packed all the necessary gear for the camping trip. [gear: noun]
Example
We need to gear our marketing strategy towards a younger audience. [geared: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Gear is more commonly used than pinion in everyday language. Gear is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pinion is less common and mainly used in the context of machinery.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between pinion and gear?
Both pinion and gear are technical terms and are typically associated with a formal tone. However, gear is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.