What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scratched
Example
The cat scratched the sofa with its claws. [scratched: verb]
Example
I accidentally scratched my arm on a thorn bush. [scratched: past tense]
Example
She scratched the lottery ticket to reveal the numbers. [scratched: past participle]
cut
Example
He cut the cake into slices. [cut: verb]
Example
She accidentally cut her finger while chopping vegetables. [cut: past tense]
Example
The surgeon made a small cut to remove the tumor. [cut: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cut is a more common word than scratched in everyday language. Cut is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scratched is less common and often used in specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between scratched and cut?
Both scratched and cut can be used in formal and informal contexts, but cut is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels.