What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
uncaging
Example
The zookeeper uncaged the birds and watched them fly away. [uncaged: verb]
Example
The prisoner was finally uncaged after serving ten years in jail. [uncaged: past participle]
free
Example
The bird was finally free to fly after being released from its cage. [free: adjective]
Example
The government decided to free the hostages after negotiations with the kidnappers. [free: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Free is more commonly used than uncaging in everyday language. Free is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while uncaging is less common and refers to a specific type of release.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between uncaging and free?
Both uncaging and free can be used in formal and informal contexts, but uncaging may be more appropriate in technical or scientific writing related to animal behavior or captivity.