What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
swallowed
Example
I swallowed a piece of gum by accident. [swallowed: past tense]
Example
He had difficulty swallowing after the surgery. [swallowing: gerund or present participle]
ingested
Example
The doctor instructed me to ingest the medication with food. [ingest: verb]
Example
The poison was ingested accidentally. [ingested: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Swallowed is more commonly used than ingested in everyday language, as it is a more casual and versatile term. Ingested is more commonly used in medical or scientific contexts, where precision and technical language are required.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between swallowed and ingested?
Ingested is a more formal and technical term than swallowed, as it is often used in medical or scientific contexts. Swallowed is more casual and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
