What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scuffed
Example
His scuffed shoes showed that he had been walking a lot. [scuffed: adjective]
Example
The table was scuffed from years of use. [scuffed: past participle]
scratch
Example
I accidentally scratched the car door with my keys. [scratched: verb]
Example
He got a scratch on his arm from playing with the cat. [scratch: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scratch is more commonly used than scuffed in everyday language. Scratch is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scuffed is less common and refers to a specific type of damage.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between scuffed and scratch?
Both scuffed and scratch are informal words that can be used in casual conversation. However, scratch can also be used in more formal contexts, such as medical or technical writing, while scuffed is typically reserved for informal situations.
