What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sow
Example
She decided to sow some wildflowers in her garden. [sow: verb]
Example
The farmer sowed the seeds in neat rows. [sowed: past tense]
Example
He wanted to sow the seeds of peace among the warring factions. [sow: verb]
scatter
Example
The wind scattered the leaves all over the yard. [scatter: verb]
Example
The protesters were scattered by the police. [scattered: past participle]
Example
She had to scatter the papers all over the floor to find the missing document. [scatter: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scatter is more commonly used than sow in everyday language. Scatter is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sow is less common and often used in specific contexts related to planting or introducing ideas.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sow and scatter?
Both sow and scatter can be used in formal and informal contexts, but sow may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with agriculture and gardening.
