What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ruminating
Example
She spent hours ruminating on what went wrong in her relationship. [ruminating: verb]
Example
His ruminations on the meaning of life kept him up all night. [ruminations: noun]
pondering
Example
I'm pondering whether to take that job offer or not. [pondering: verb]
Example
After much pondering, she finally decided to go back to school. [pondering: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pondering is more commonly used than ruminating in everyday language. Pondering is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while ruminating is less common and often associated with negative thoughts or experiences.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between ruminating and pondering?
Both ruminating and pondering are formal words that are more likely to be used in written or academic contexts than in casual conversation.
