What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
swaying
Example
The trees were swaying in the breeze. [swaying: verb]
Example
The boat was swaying gently on the waves. [swaying: present participle]
rocking
Example
The baby was rocking back and forth in her cradle. [rocking: present participle]
Example
The band played a rocking tune that got everyone dancing. [rocking: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rocking is more commonly used than swaying in everyday language. Rocking is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while swaying is less common and refers to specific types of movement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between swaying and rocking?
Both swaying and rocking can be used in formal and informal contexts, but swaying may be more associated with a poetic or literary tone, while rocking is more commonly used in everyday speech.
