What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
swoop
Example
The eagle swooped down from the sky to catch its prey. [swooped: past tense]
Example
The kids watched in awe as the superhero swooped in to save the day. [swooped: past participle]
dive
Example
The pelican dove into the water to catch a fish. [dove: past tense]
Example
The airplane made a steep dive towards the ground before pulling up. [dive: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dive is more commonly used than swoop in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and is more versatile.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between swoop and dive?
Both swoop and dive can be used in informal and formal contexts, but dive is more commonly used in technical or specialized fields such as diving sports or aviation.
