What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
purifying
Example
The water treatment plant uses various methods to purify the water before it is distributed to homes. [purify: verb]
Example
The purifying process removes any harmful chemicals from the air in the factory. [purifying: gerund or present participle]
sanitize
Example
The restaurant staff must sanitize all surfaces and utensils after each use to prevent the spread of germs. [sanitize: verb]
Example
The hospital uses a special machine to sanitize medical equipment and ensure they are free from harmful bacteria. [sanitizing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sanitize is more commonly used than purify in everyday language, especially in the context of cleaning and hygiene. Sanitize is a term that is widely used in public health and safety campaigns, while purify is more commonly used in scientific or industrial settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between purifying and sanitize?
Purify is generally considered more formal than sanitize, which is a more common and versatile term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
