What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shining
Example
The sun was shining brightly in the sky. [shining: verb]
Example
The diamond ring was shining in the light. [shining: gerund or present participle]
sparkling
Example
The stars were sparkling in the night sky. [sparkling: verb]
Example
The champagne was sparkling in the glass. [sparkling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shining is more commonly used than sparkling in everyday language. Shining is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sparkling is less common and is often used in specific contexts, such as describing liquids or animate objects.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between shining and sparkling?
Both shining and sparkling can be used in formal and informal contexts, but shining may be slightly more formal due to its association with excellence or brilliance.
