Search from various English teachers...
Hoon.
Are 'tip' and 'tilt' interchangeable in this context?
"Learner's definition of TIP
1
: to turn or move something so that it is not straight or level : to cause something to lean or slant TILT
[+ object]
She tipped her head to the left.
He tipped his glass and spilled some water.
He tipped his chair back and fell over." http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/tip
Can 'tilted' replace 'tipped' in the three examples?
May 19, 2014 7:18 AM
Answers · 2
2
The two words are similar. In practice, I think that the word tipped is applied more to inanimate things. So I don't think that you would say "tipped her head", that would always be "tilted her head". The other two sentences could use the word interchangeably.
I am not sure that I am correct but as a native English speaker, I feel that "tipped" is associated strongly with "tipped over" indicating some sort of accident rather than a planned movement.
May 19, 2014
1
They're very close in meaning. I think the first and last examples could be used with 'tilt' - possibly not the second. With the glass of water example, 'tip' could be the idea of 'tipped right over onto the table' ie knocked down entirely, which is different from 'tilt'. 'Tilt' suggests a leaning/change of angle on one axis only, whereas 'tip' , I think, is a less precise movement. Consider the word 'tipsy', for example, meaning slightly drunk (a bit 'wobbly').
May 19, 2014
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Hoon.
Language Skills
Chinese (Cantonese), Chinese (Taiwanese), English, Korean
Learning Language
Chinese (Taiwanese), English
Articles You May Also Like

English Vocabulary for Using Microsoft Office at Work
26 likes · 6 Comments

How to Answer “How Was Your Weekend?” Naturally in English
56 likes · 30 Comments

Why Some Jokes Don’t Translate: Understanding Humor in English
15 likes · 6 Comments
More articles
