What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tow
Example
The car broke down, so we had to tow it to the mechanic. [tow: verb]
Example
The tow truck arrived to remove the illegally parked car from the street. [tow: noun]
Example
The boat was towed by the larger ship across the harbor. [towed: past participle]
haul
Example
We had to haul the furniture up three flights of stairs. [haul: verb]
Example
The company used trucks to haul the goods across the country. [haul: verb]
Example
The miners used carts to haul the coal out of the mine. [haul: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Haul is more commonly used than tow in everyday language. Haul is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tow is more specific and often used in the context of vehicle transportation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tow and haul?
Both tow and haul are typically associated with an informal tone, but haul can also be used in formal contexts when referring to the transportation of goods or materials.
