What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
swat
Example
She swatted the mosquito on her arm. [swatted: past tense]
Example
The cat swatted at the toy mouse with its paw. [swatted: past participle]
hit
Example
He hit the ball out of the park. [hit: verb]
Example
The car was hit by a falling tree branch. [hit: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hit is more commonly used than swat in everyday language. Hit is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while swat is less common and refers to a specific type of physical action.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between swat and hit?
While swat is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, hit can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.