What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
racking
Example
The workers were racking the boxes onto the shelves. [racking: verb]
Example
I spent the afternoon racking my tools in the garage. [racking: gerund or present participle]
shelving
Example
The librarian was shelving books in the stacks. [shelving: verb]
Example
I need to buy some new shelving for my home office. [shelving: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shelving is more commonly used than racking in everyday language. Shelving is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while racking is less common and refers specifically to the process of storing items on racks in a warehouse or storage facility.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between racking and shelving?
While racking is typically associated with a more technical and industrial tone, shelving is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
