What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
poinding
Example
The landlord threatened to initiate poinding proceedings if the tenant did not pay the rent arrears. [poinding: noun]
Example
The sheriff officers were authorized to poind the debtor's car to recover the outstanding debt. [poind: verb]
impounding
Example
The police impounded the suspect's car as evidence in the ongoing investigation. [impounded: past tense]
Example
The animal control officer impounded the stray dog and took it to the shelter. [impounding: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Impounding is more commonly used than poinding in everyday language, as it is a more general term used in various contexts. Poinding is a specific legal term used only in Scotland.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between poinding and impounding?
Poinding and impounding are both formal terms used in legal contexts. However, poinding may be considered more formal due to its limited use in a specific legal system.