What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tempering
Example
The blacksmith tempered the steel sword to make it stronger. [tempered: past tense]
Example
She took a deep breath to temper her anger before responding. [temper: verb]
Example
The chef tempered the chocolate by slowly melting it over low heat. [tempered: past participle]
hardening
Example
The steel was hardened by quenching it in water after heating it to a high temperature. [hardened: past participle]
Example
He had to harden himself to the harsh realities of life on the streets. [harden: verb]
Example
Her stubbornness only hardened when she was challenged on her beliefs. [hardened: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hardening is more commonly used than tempering in everyday language, especially in the context of personal growth and resilience. Tempering is more specialized and is primarily used in the context of metalworking and cooking.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tempering and hardening?
Both tempering and hardening are technical terms that are more commonly used in formal or specialized contexts, such as engineering or metallurgy. However, hardening is more versatile and can also be used in informal contexts to describe personal growth or resilience.
