What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
subsiding
Example
After taking the medication, the headache started subsiding. [subsiding: gerund or present participle]
Example
The floodwaters are subsiding, and the roads are starting to clear. [subsiding: verb]
receding
Example
The sound of the train receded into the distance. [receded: past tense]
Example
As he got older, his hairline started receding. [receding: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Subsiding is more commonly used than receding in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and has a more neutral or positive connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between subsiding and receding?
Both subsiding and receding can be used in formal or informal contexts, but subsiding is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.
