What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
saw
Example
He sawed the wooden board in half. [sawed: past tense]
Example
I need a saw to cut this metal pipe. [saw: noun]
hacksaw
Example
He used a hacksaw to cut the metal bar. [hacksaw: noun]
Example
She was hacksawing the metal sheet into smaller pieces. [hacksawing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Saw is a more common word than hacksaw and is used in a wider range of contexts. Hacksaw is a more specialized tool and is used less frequently in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between saw and hacksaw?
Both saw and hacksaw are informal words and can be used in casual conversation. However, hacksaw may be considered more technical and formal due to its specialized use in cutting metal materials.
