What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
plowing
Example
The farmer spent all day plowing the field with his tractor. [plowing: gerund or present participle]
Example
The plowing season is from November to February in this region. [plowing: noun]
tilling
Example
I spent the morning tilling the garden to prepare it for planting. [tilling: gerund or present participle]
Example
The farmer used a rotary tiller to till the soil before planting the crops. [tilling: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tilling is more commonly used than plowing in everyday language, as it is a more general term that covers a wider range of soil preparation techniques. Plowing is a more specific term that is mainly used in agricultural contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between plowing and tilling?
Both plowing and tilling are generally considered formal terms, as they are technical agricultural terms that are not commonly used in everyday conversation.