What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
revolve
Example
The Earth revolves around the Sun. [revolves: verb]
Example
The wheel on the bike revolves as it moves forward. [revolves: verb]
rotate
Example
The Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours. [rotates: verb]
Example
The staff members rotate their shifts every week. [rotate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rotate is more commonly used than revolve in everyday language. Rotate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while revolve is less common and is mainly used in scientific or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between revolve and rotate?
Revolve is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, while rotate is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.