What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tainting
Example
The meat was left out too long and began tainting, so we had to throw it away. [tainting: verb]
Example
The scandal has been tainting the politician's image for months. [tainting: gerund or present participle]
contamination
Example
The water supply was shut down due to contamination from a nearby factory. [contamination: noun]
Example
The hospital implemented strict protocols to prevent the contamination of medical equipment. [contamination: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contamination is more commonly used than tainting in everyday language, especially in scientific or technical contexts. Tainting is less common and may be considered more informal or colloquial.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tainting and contamination?
Contamination is generally more formal than tainting, which is often used in casual or conversational settings.
