What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spanning
Example
The bridge spanning the river is over a mile long. [spanning: verb]
Example
The project will be spanning several months. [spanning: present participle]
covering
Example
The blanket is covering the couch to protect it from stains. [covering: verb]
Example
The book is covering various topics related to history. [covering: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Covering is more commonly used than spanning in everyday language. Covering is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while spanning is less common and refers to a specific type of measurement or dimension.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spanning and covering?
Both spanning and covering are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
