What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wiping
Example
I'm wiping the table with a cloth. [wiping: present participle]
Example
She wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief. [wiped: past tense]
mopping
Example
I'm mopping the kitchen floor. [mopping: present participle]
Example
He mopped up the spilled milk with a sponge. [mopped: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wiping is more commonly used than mopping in everyday language since it is used for smaller areas and spills that occur more frequently. Mopping is less common but is still an essential household cleaning task.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wiping and mopping?
Both wiping and mopping are informal words and can be used in casual conversations. However, mopping may be considered more formal since it is associated with cleaning larger areas like floors.
