What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wag
Example
The dog wagged its tail happily when it saw its owner. [wagged: past tense]
Example
She wagged her finger at him, scolding him for his behavior. [wagged: verb]
Example
The pendulum continued to wag back and forth until it eventually stopped. [wag: verb]
wave
Example
He waved goodbye to his friends as he left the party. [waved: past tense]
Example
The waves crashed against the shore, creating a soothing sound. [waves: noun]
Example
Her hair waved in the wind as she walked along the beach. [waved: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wave is more commonly used than wag in everyday language. Wave is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wag is less common and refers to specific movements of animals or playful teasing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wag and wave?
While wag is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, wave is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
