What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
smoking
Example
He was caught smoking in the bathroom. [smoking: present participle]
Example
Smoking is harmful to your health. [smoking: noun]
tobacco
Example
He grows tobacco on his farm. [tobacco: noun]
Example
Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death worldwide. [tobacco: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Smoking is more commonly used than tobacco in everyday language, as it is a more specific and familiar term. However, tobacco is more common in academic, scientific, or business contexts, where precision and formality are required.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between smoking and tobacco?
Tobacco is generally more formal than smoking, as it is often used in technical or professional contexts. However, both terms can be used in various levels of formality depending on the context and audience.
