What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pothole
Example
The car hit a pothole and blew out a tire. [pothole: noun]
Example
The city is working to repair the potholes on this street. [potholes: plural noun]
pit
Example
The miners descended into the pit to extract coal. [pit: noun]
Example
She found a cherry with a pit in it. [pit: noun]
Example
He was in a pit of despair after losing his job. [pit: metaphorical usage]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pothole is more commonly used than pit in everyday language, especially in the context of roads and transportation. Pit is a more versatile term with a wider range of meanings and applications.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pothole and pit?
Both pothole and pit are generally informal terms, but pit can be used in more formal contexts depending on the specific meaning and usage.
