What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shovelling
Example
I spent all morning shovelling snow off my driveway. [shovelling: gerund or present participle]
Example
He was shovelling dirt into the wheelbarrow to move it to the garden. [shovelling: verb]
digging
Example
We were digging a hole for the new tree in the backyard. [digging: gerund or present participle]
Example
The archaeologists were digging for artifacts in the ancient ruins. [digging: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Digging is more commonly used than shovelling in everyday language. Digging is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while shovelling is more specific and often associated with snow removal or manual labor.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between shovelling and digging?
Both shovelling and digging are informal words that are commonly used in casual conversation. However, digging may be used in more formal contexts, such as in scientific or archaeological research.
