What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tinkering
Example
He spent the afternoon tinkering with his car's engine. [tinkering: verb]
Example
She enjoyed tinkering with her computer to see if she could make it run faster. [tinkering: gerund or present participle]
playing
Example
The children were playing in the park. [playing: verb]
Example
He enjoys playing basketball with his friends on the weekends. [playing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Playing is more commonly used than tinkering in everyday language. Playing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tinkering is less common and refers to a more technical or specialized activity.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between tinkering and playing?
While tinkering is typically associated with a more serious or technical tone, playing is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
