What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
splashing
Example
The kids were splashing around in the pool, having a great time. [splashing: verb]
Example
She splashed through the puddles on her way to work. [splashed: past tense]
Example
He accidentally splashed coffee all over his shirt. [splashed: past participle]
dribbling
Example
He's really good at dribbling the basketball down the court. [dribbling: present participle]
Example
The faucet was dribbling water all night, causing a huge water bill. [dribbling: verb]
Example
The baby was dribbling drool all over his bib. [dribbling: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dribbling is more commonly used than splashing in everyday language, especially in the context of sports or games. Splashing is less common and is often used in more specific contexts, such as water play or pouring liquids.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between splashing and dribbling?
Both splashing and dribbling are informal words that are more commonly used in casual conversation or writing. However, dribbling may be used in more formal contexts when referring to sports or games.