What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sway
Example
The trees swayed in the wind. [swayed: past tense]
Example
The politician tried to sway the voters with his promises. [sway: verb]
rock
Example
The mother rocked her baby to sleep. [rocked: past tense]
Example
The earthquake caused the ground to rock beneath our feet. [rock: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rock is more commonly used than sway in everyday language, especially in the context of music. However, sway can be used in specific situations where a side-to-side motion is involved.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sway and rock?
Both sway and rock can be used in informal or casual contexts. However, sway can also be used in more formal settings when referring to a change in opinion or influence.
