What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sharply
Example
The stock prices fell sharply after the company's announcement. [sharply: adverb]
Example
She turned her head sharply to see who was calling her name. [sharply: adverb]
Example
He spoke sharply to his employees when they made a mistake. [sharply: adverb]
precipitously
Example
The car went off the road and fell precipitously down the cliff. [precipitously: adverb]
Example
He resigned from his job precipitously without thinking about the consequences. [precipitously: adverb]
Example
The company's profits declined precipitously due to the pandemic. [precipitously: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sharply is more commonly used than precipitously in everyday language, and it is more versatile and can be used in various contexts. Precipitously is less common and more specific to certain situations, such as describing a steep decline or a risky decision.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sharply and precipitously?
Sharply is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while precipitously is more formal and less commonly used in everyday language.
