What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
speared
Example
The fisherman speared the fish with his harpoon. [speared: past tense]
Example
The tribe used spears to hunt for food. [spears: noun]
harpooned
Example
The whalers harpooned the whale and dragged it back to the ship. [harpooned: past tense]
Example
The company's new marketing strategy harpooned their competitors' sales. [harpooned: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Speared is more commonly used than harpooned in everyday language. Speared is a more versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while harpooned is more specific and often associated with whaling or hunting in icy waters.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between speared and harpooned?
Both speared and harpooned are informal terms that are typically used in casual conversation or in the context of hunting or fishing. However, harpooned may have a more formal connotation due to its association with whaling or hunting in icy waters.