What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rasping
Example
The sound of the metal against the concrete was rasping. [rasping: adjective]
Example
She spoke in a rasping voice, making it difficult to understand her. [rasping: present participle]
grating
Example
The sound of the fork scraping against the plate was grating. [grating: adjective]
Example
His grating personality made it hard for others to be around him. [grating: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grating is more commonly used than rasping in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rasping and grating?
Both rasping and grating are considered formal words and may not be commonly used in casual conversation. However, grating is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while rasping is less common and may be more specific to technical or specialized fields.