What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sand
Example
The children built sandcastles on the beach. [sand: noun]
Example
The sandpaper smoothed out the rough edges of the wood. [sand: verb]
dust
Example
The furniture was covered in a thick layer of dust. [dust: noun]
Example
She dusted the shelves before putting the books back. [dusted: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dust is more commonly used than sand in everyday language since it is a more common substance that people encounter in their daily lives.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sand and dust?
Both sand and dust are versatile words that can be used in various formality levels, making them suitable for both formal and informal contexts.