What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vail
Example
He vailed his hat to the lady as she passed by. [vailed: past tense]
Example
The performers vailed to the audience after their final act. [vailing: present participle]
kneel
Example
The congregation knelt in prayer during the service. [knelt: past tense]
Example
She knelt down to tie her shoelaces. [knelt: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Kneel is more commonly used than vail in everyday language. Kneel is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vail is less common and refers to a specific act of respect or lowering.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vail and kneel?
While vail is typically associated with a formal and polite tone, kneel can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
