What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rub
Example
She rubbed her hands together to warm them up. [rub: verb]
Example
He rubbed his sore neck to relieve the tension. [rubbed: past tense]
Example
I need to rub this stain out of my shirt before it sets in. [rub: phrasal verb]
polish
Example
She polished her silverware until it gleamed. [polished: past tense]
Example
He spent years polishing his piano skills to become a professional musician. [polishing: gerund or present participle]
Example
The company is working to polish its image after a recent scandal. [polish: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rub is more commonly used than polish in everyday language. Rub is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while polish is less common and often associated with luxury items or specific tasks.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rub and polish?
While rub is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, polish is more formal and often used in professional or specialized contexts, such as in the automotive or jewelry industry.
