What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sieving
Example
I am sieving the flour to remove any lumps. [sieving: present participle]
Example
The gardener is sieving the soil to remove any rocks or debris. [sieving: present participle]
filtering
Example
I am filtering the coffee to remove any grounds. [filtering: present participle]
Example
The air purifier is filtering the air to remove any pollutants. [filtering: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Filtering is more commonly used than sieving in everyday language. Filtering is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sieving is less common and refers to a specific method of particle separation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sieving and filtering?
While sieving is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, filtering is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.