What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
skiving
Example
He's always skiving off work and leaving early. [skiving: present participle]
Example
She was caught skiving by her boss and received a warning. [skiving: gerund]
shirking
Example
He was accused of shirking his responsibilities and not doing his job properly. [shirking: present participle]
Example
She's always shirking her chores and leaving them for others to do. [shirking: gerund]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shirking is more commonly used than skiving in American English, while skiving is more commonly used in British English.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between skiving and shirking?
Both skiving and shirking can be used in formal or informal contexts, but shirking may be considered more formal due to its Latin origin and association with legal language.
