What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ticking
Example
The ticking of the clock was the only sound in the room. [ticking: noun]
Example
The curtains were made of a ticking fabric that matched the bedspread. [ticking: adjective]
Example
The bomb was ticking, and there was no time to waste. [ticking: verb]
click
Example
I heard the click of the camera as she took the picture. [click: noun]
Example
It finally clicked for me after reading the explanation a few times. [click: verb]
Example
The team had great chemistry, and everything just clicked. [click: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Click is more commonly used than ticking in everyday language. Click is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ticking is less common and typically associated with clocks or bombs.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ticking and click?
Both ticking and click are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
