What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
puncturing
Example
He punctured the balloon with a needle. [punctured: past tense]
Example
The doctor used a needle to puncture the patient's skin. [puncturing: gerund or present participle]
penetrating
Example
The bullet penetrated the wall. [penetrated: past tense]
Example
Her words were penetrating and insightful. [penetrating: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Penetrating is more commonly used than puncturing in everyday language. Penetrating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while puncturing is less common and typically used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between puncturing and penetrating?
Both puncturing and penetrating can be used in formal and informal contexts, but penetrating is more versatile and can be employed in a wider range of formality levels.
