What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
carve
Example
He carved a beautiful sculpture out of a block of wood. [carved: past tense]
Example
The chef skillfully carved the roast into thin slices. [carving: gerund or present participle]
sculpt
Example
She sculpted a stunning statue out of marble. [sculpted: past tense]
Example
The artist spent hours sculpting the clay into a lifelike figure. [sculpting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Carve is more commonly used than sculpt in everyday language, especially when referring to cutting or shaping objects or food. Sculpt is more specific to the creation of artistic sculptures and may be less commonly used in general conversation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between carve and sculpt?
While carve is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, sculpt is more commonly associated with a formal or artistic tone.
