What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whirring
Example
The sound of the washing machine whirring in the background was soothing. [whirring: present participle]
Example
The whirring of the helicopter blades could be heard from miles away. [whirring: gerund]
whizzing
Example
The baseball whizzed past the batter's ear and into the catcher's mitt. [whizzed: past tense]
Example
The sound of the fireworks whizzing overhead was both thrilling and terrifying. [whizzing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Whirring is more commonly used than whizzing in everyday language. Whirring is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while whizzing is less common and tends to be used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between whirring and whizzing?
Both whirring and whizzing are informal words that are suitable for casual conversations or creative writing. Neither word is particularly formal or informal.
