What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tarnishing
Example
The silverware has tarnished after being left out for too long. [tarnished: verb]
Example
The brass doorknob has started tarnishing due to exposure to moisture. [tarnishing: gerund or present participle]
stain
Example
I spilled coffee on my shirt and now there's a stain. [stain: noun]
Example
She stained the wooden table with a dark finish. [stained: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stain is more commonly used than tarnishing in everyday language. Stain is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tarnishing is more specific to metal surfaces.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tarnishing and stain?
Both tarnishing and stain can be used in formal and informal contexts, but tarnishing may be more formal due to its association with metalworking and restoration.
