What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tilling
Example
The farmer spent the morning tilling the soil in the field. [tilling: verb]
Example
Tilling the garden before planting can help improve soil quality. [tilling: gerund or present participle]
cultivation
Example
The cultivation of rice is an important industry in this region. [cultivation: noun]
Example
She has a lot of experience in the cultivation of vegetables. [cultivation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cultivation is more commonly used than tilling in everyday language. Cultivation is a broader term that covers all aspects of growing crops or plants, while tilling is a specific activity related to soil preparation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between tilling and cultivation?
Both tilling and cultivation are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.