What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
upward
Example
The balloon floated upward into the sky. [upward: adverb]
Example
The company's profits have been on an upward trend for the past year. [upward: adjective]
ascending
Example
The hiker was ascending the steep mountain trail. [ascending: verb]
Example
The numbers on the chart are listed in ascending order. [ascending: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Upward is more commonly used than ascending in everyday language. Upward is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while ascending is more technical and specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between upward and ascending?
While both upward and ascending can be used in formal contexts, ascending is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts, while upward is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
