What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sterilizing
Example
The hospital staff is sterilizing the surgical instruments before the operation. [sterilizing: present participle]
Example
The baby bottles need to be sterilized before use to ensure they are free from harmful bacteria. [sterilized: past participle]
purifying
Example
The air purifier helps in purifying the air by removing pollutants and allergens. [purifying: present participle]
Example
The water treatment plant purifies the water by removing harmful chemicals and bacteria. [purifies: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Purifying is more commonly used than sterilizing in everyday language. Purifying is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sterilizing is less common and refers to a specific process of killing all microorganisms.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sterilizing and purifying?
Sterilizing is typically associated with a formal and technical tone, while purifying is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
