What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stiffening
Example
The cold weather caused the stiffening of my fingers. [stiffening: noun]
Example
The addition of flour resulted in the stiffening of the dough. [stiffening: gerund or present participle]
solidifying
Example
The melted chocolate started solidifying as it cooled. [solidifying: verb]
Example
The team's success solidified their reputation as industry leaders. [solidified: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Solidifying is more commonly used than stiffening in everyday language. Solidifying is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stiffening is less common and typically used in medical or physical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stiffening and solidifying?
Both stiffening and solidifying can be used in scientific or technical contexts, making them more formal than casual language. However, solidifying is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while stiffening is more limited in its usage.
