What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unravelling
Example
The detective spent months unravelling the mystery behind the crime. [unravelling: verb]
Example
The company's financial problems were slowly unravelling, causing concern among investors. [unravelling: gerund or present participle]
unfolding
Example
The story of the missing treasure was slowly unfolding as more clues were discovered. [unfolding: verb]
Example
The events of the day were unfolding in a way that nobody could have predicted. [unfolding: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unfolding is more commonly used than unravelling in everyday language. Unfolding is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unravelling is less common and is typically used in more formal or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unravelling and unfolding?
Unravelling is typically associated with a more formal tone, while unfolding is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
