What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whittle
Example
He whittled a small figurine out of a piece of wood. [whittled: past tense]
Example
She enjoys whittling in her free time, making small sculptures out of soap. [whittling: gerund or present participle]
carve
Example
He carved a beautiful statue out of a block of marble. [carved: past tense]
Example
She likes to carve intricate designs into pumpkins for Halloween. [carving: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Carve is more commonly used than whittle in everyday language. Carve is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while whittle is less common and often associated with woodworking or artistic pursuits.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between whittle and carve?
While whittle is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, carve is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
