What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
teetered
Example
The vase teetered on the edge of the table before falling off. [teetered: past tense]
Example
The company's financial situation teetered on the brink of collapse. [teetered: verb]
Example
She teetered on whether to accept the job offer or not. [teetered: past participle]
totter
Example
The toddler tottered across the room, still learning to walk. [tottered: verb]
Example
The elderly man tottered down the street with the help of his cane. [tottered: past tense]
Example
The company's profits began to totter as competition increased. [totter: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Totter is more commonly used than teetered in everyday language. Totter is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while teetered is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between teetered and totter?
Both teetered and totter are relatively informal words, but totter may be slightly more formal due to its wider usage in various contexts.
