What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
swirling
Example
The leaves were swirling around in the wind. [swirling: verb]
Example
The coffee was swirling around in the cup. [swirling: present participle]
twirling
Example
The ballerina was twirling gracefully on stage. [twirling: verb]
Example
The child was twirling around in circles in the park. [twirling: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Twirling is more commonly used than swirling in everyday language. Twirling is often used to describe graceful and rhythmic movements, such as in dance or sports, while swirling is more specific and often used in scientific or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between swirling and twirling?
Both swirling and twirling can be used in formal and informal contexts, but swirling may be more commonly used in technical or scientific writing, while twirling is more versatile and can be used in various contexts.