What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tangling
Example
I spent hours untangling my hair after swimming in the ocean. [untangling: gerund or present participle]
Example
The fishing line got tangled around the rocks. [tangled: past tense]
jumble
Example
The closet was a jumble of clothes and shoes. [jumble: noun]
Example
The instructions were a jumbled mess, making it hard to understand. [jumbled: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jumble is more commonly used than tangling in everyday language. Jumble is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tangling is less common and refers to specific situations involving twisted or knotted objects.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tangling and jumble?
Both tangling and jumble are relatively informal words, but jumble can be used in more formal contexts when describing a disorganized collection of ideas or concepts.
