What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wandering
Example
We spent the afternoon wandering around the park, enjoying the scenery. [wandering: verb]
Example
The lost hiker was wandering through the woods for hours before being rescued. [wandering: gerund or present participle]
drifting
Example
The boat was drifting lazily down the river. [drifting: verb]
Example
The clouds were drifting across the sky on a lazy afternoon. [drifting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wandering is more commonly used than drifting in everyday language. Wandering is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while drifting is less common and often associated with specific environments such as boats or clouds.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between wandering and drifting?
Both wandering and drifting are typically associated with a casual and informal tone, making them suitable for use in informal contexts.