What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
swerved
Example
The driver swerved to avoid hitting the pedestrian. [swerved: past tense]
Example
The cyclist swerved to avoid the pothole on the road. [swerved: verb]
diverted
Example
The river was diverted to irrigate the farmland. [diverted: past tense]
Example
The teacher diverted the students' attention from the boring lecture by telling a funny story. [diverted: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Diverted is more commonly used than swerved in everyday language. Diverted is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while swerved is less common and typically used in the context of driving or cycling.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between swerved and diverted?
Both swerved and diverted are informal words, but diverted can be used in formal contexts when referring to a change in the intended use or purpose of something.
