What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
propelling
Example
The boat was propelling through the water at a high speed. [propelling: verb]
Example
The rocket's propelling force was strong enough to launch it into space. [propelling: adjective]
driving
Example
I'm driving to the store to pick up some groceries. [driving: verb]
Example
The car's driving force comes from its engine. [driving: noun]
Example
His ambition and determination were driving him to succeed. [driving: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Driving is more commonly used than propelling in everyday language. Driving is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while propelling is less common and may be used in more specialized fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between propelling and driving?
While propelling is typically associated with a technical and formal tone, driving is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.