What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shirk
Example
He always tries to shirk his responsibilities at work. [shirk: verb]
Example
She is known for her tendency to shirk her duties and leave them for others to handle. [shirking: gerund or present participle]
dodge
Example
He tried to dodge the question by changing the subject. [dodge: verb]
Example
The player made a quick dodge to avoid being tackled by the opponent. [dodge: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dodge is more commonly used than shirk in everyday language. Dodge is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while shirk is less common and is mostly used in work or academic settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between shirk and dodge?
While shirk is typically associated with a negative and informal tone, dodge can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in various formality levels.