Freezingly vs Freezing: Deciding Between Similar Terms

Winter is here! And with it comes the need for precise language to describe the cold weather. One common dilemma people face is whether to use the word “freezingly” or “freezing” to describe the temperature. The answer is not always straightforward, but we are here to shed some light on the matter.

It’s important to note that both “freezingly” and “freezing” are proper words. However, “freezing” is the more commonly used term to describe temperatures below 32°F (0°C). On the other hand, “freezingly” is a less common adverb that is used to describe something that is done in a freezing manner or with a feeling of extreme coldness.

Now that we have a better understanding of each word, let’s dive deeper into their meanings and usage.

Define Freezingly

Freezingly is an adverb that describes an action or condition that is characterized by extreme coldness. It is often used to describe weather conditions or temperatures that are so cold that they cause discomfort or pain to those exposed to them. Freezingly is synonymous with frigidly, icily, or bitterly cold.

Define Freezing

Freezing is an adjective that describes a state in which a liquid has been converted into a solid due to a decrease in temperature. It is often used to describe weather conditions or temperatures that are below the freezing point of water, which is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius. Freezing can also refer to the act of preserving food or other perishable items by subjecting them to extremely low temperatures, which inhibits the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms.

Freezing can also be used as a verb to describe the process of converting a liquid into a solid by lowering its temperature. This process is commonly used in the production of ice cream, where a liquid mixture is rapidly cooled while being stirred to prevent the formation of large ice crystals.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right word in a sentence is crucial to convey the intended meaning. In this section, we will discuss how to use “freezingly” and “freezing” correctly in a sentence.

How To Use “Freezingly” In A Sentence

“Freezingly” is an adverb that describes the manner in which something is done. It means “in a freezing manner” or “to an extreme degree of coldness.” Here are some examples of how to use “freezingly” in a sentence:

• The wind was blowing freezingly through the trees.
• She walked freezingly to the car, her teeth chattering.
• The water in the lake was freezingly cold.

It is important to note that “freezingly” is not interchangeable with “freezing.” While they both relate to cold temperatures, “freezingly” describes the manner in which something is done, while “freezing” describes a state of being.

How To Use “Freezing” In A Sentence

“Freezing” is an adjective that describes a state of being. It means “extremely cold” or “below the freezing point.” Here are some examples of how to use “freezing” in a sentence:

• The water in the lake was freezing.
• He was freezing in his thin jacket.
• The temperature outside was freezing.

It is important to note that “freezing” can also be used as a verb, meaning “to cause to freeze” or “to become frozen.” Here are some examples:

• The weather froze the pipes.
• She put the ice cream in the freezer to freeze it.

When using “freezing” as a verb, it is important to ensure that the sentence structure and context make it clear that it is being used as a verb and not an adjective.

More Examples Of Freezingly & Freezing Used In Sentences

Freezingly and freezing are two words that are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings. Freezingly is an adverb that describes the manner in which something is done, while freezing is an adjective that describes a temperature below the freezing point of water. Here are some examples of how these words can be used in a sentence:

Examples Of Using Freezingly In A Sentence:

• She walked freezingly into the icy water.
• The wind was blowing freezingly, making it difficult to stay warm.
• He spoke freezingly to his ex-girlfriend, still angry about their breakup.
• The snow fell freezingly from the sky, covering everything in a blanket of white.
• The ice cream was melting freezingly in the hot sun.
• She looked at him freezingly, her eyes full of anger and resentment.
• The water in the lake was freezingly cold, even in the middle of summer.
• He stood there freezingly, waiting for her to make the first move.
• The air was freezingly cold, making it hard to breathe.
• She hugged herself tightly, shivering freezingly in the cold.

Examples Of Using Freezing In A Sentence:

• The freezing temperatures made it difficult to go outside.
• His hands were numb from the freezing cold.
• The lake was frozen solid from the freezing temperatures.
• She bundled up in layers to protect herself from the freezing wind.
• The pipes burst due to the freezing temperatures.
• He slipped on the ice from the freezing rain.
• The freezing temperatures killed all of the plants in the garden.
• She couldn’t feel her toes from the freezing cold.
• The car wouldn’t start in the freezing weather.
• The freezing rain turned the roads into a slippery mess.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “freezingly” and “freezing,” many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, this is a common mistake that should be avoided, as the two words have different meanings and connotations.

Using “Freezingly” Incorrectly

One common mistake people make is using “freezingly” as an adjective to describe something that is extremely cold. For example, someone might say “it’s freezingly cold outside.” However, “freezingly” is actually an adverb, not an adjective, and should be used to describe how something is done or happening.

A better way to convey the same message would be to use the word “freezing” as an adjective, such as “it’s freezing cold outside.” This not only conveys the same meaning but also uses the correct part of speech.

Using “Freezing” Incorrectly

On the other hand, some people might use “freezing” as an adverb to describe how something is done or happening, such as “he walked freezing slowly.” However, “freezing” is an adjective that describes something that is at or below the freezing point.

Instead, a better way to convey the same message would be to use the word “extremely” or “very” to modify the adverb “slowly,” such as “he walked extremely slowly” or “he walked very slowly.” This not only uses the correct part of speech but also avoids the incorrect use of “freezing.”

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

• Always double-check the part of speech of the word you are using to ensure it is being used correctly.
• Consider using a thesaurus to find alternative words that convey the same meaning but are the correct part of speech.
• Read and proofread your writing carefully to ensure you are not making these common mistakes.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “freezingly” and “freezing,” context plays a crucial role in determining which word to use. Both words indicate cold temperatures, but they have slightly different connotations that can affect the meaning of a sentence.

Freezingly

“Freezingly” is an adverb that describes the manner in which something is done or experienced. It implies a sense of discomfort or unpleasantness associated with the cold. For example:

• “The wind blew freezingly through the cracks in the window.”
• “She shivered freezingly in her thin coat.”

In both of these examples, “freezingly” emphasizes the discomfort of the cold. It adds an extra layer of meaning to the sentence that “freezing” alone would not convey.

Freezing

“Freezing” is an adjective that describes a state of being. It simply means that something is at or below the freezing point of water. For example:

• “The lake was frozen solid.”
• “The temperature dropped to freezing overnight.”

In these examples, “freezing” is used to describe a physical state rather than a feeling or experience. It is a more straightforward way to convey the coldness of a situation.

Contextual Examples

Here are some examples of different contexts in which the choice between “freezingly” and “freezing” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Preferred Word Choice
Describing Weather	The wind was blowing ________.	Freezingly
Describing a Person’s Appearance	She looked ________ in her winter coat.	Freezing
Describing a State of Water	The pond was ________.	Freezing
Describing a Feeling	He felt ________ cold after being outside for hours.	Freezingly

As these examples demonstrate, the choice between “freezingly” and “freezing” depends on the context in which they are used. By understanding the subtle differences between these words, you can choose the one that best conveys the intended meaning of your sentence.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the use of freezingly and freezing follows a general set of rules, there are some exceptions where these rules might not apply. Here are some explanations and examples for each case:

1. Adverbial Phrases

When freezingly and freezing are used as adverbial phrases, there are some exceptions to the general rule. In some cases, freezingly can be used to describe a situation where the temperature is not necessarily below freezing, but the conditions are still very cold. For example:

• The wind was blowing freezingly, making it feel much colder than it actually was.

On the other hand, freezing can also be used in a similar way to describe a very cold situation, even if the temperature is not technically below freezing. For example:

• Even though it was only 40 degrees outside, the wind made it feel like it was freezing.

2. Colloquial Use

When speaking colloquially, there are some exceptions to the general rule of using freezingly and freezing. In some cases, freezing can be used as an intensifier to describe a situation that is extremely cold, even if the temperature is not technically below freezing. For example:

• It’s freezing in here! Can we turn up the heat?

Similarly, freezingly can be used in a similar way to describe a situation that is very cold, even if the temperature is not technically below freezing. For example:

• It’s freezingly cold outside today. You’ll need to bundle up if you’re going to be out there for long.

3. Geographic Location

Depending on where you are in the world, the rules for using freezingly and freezing might be different. In some regions, freezingly is used more commonly than freezing, while in others, the opposite is true. For example, in some parts of the United States, it is common to say “It’s freezingly cold outside,” while in other parts, “It’s freezing outside” is more common.

Similarly, in some parts of the world, freezing is used to describe a temperature that is below 0 degrees Celsius, while in other parts, it is used to describe any temperature that is very cold. For example, in Canada, it is common to say “It’s freezing outside” even if the temperature is only a few degrees below zero.

4. Technical Use

In technical writing, there are some exceptions to the general rule of using freezingly and freezing. In some cases, freezing may be used to describe a temperature that is below a certain threshold, while freezingly may be used to describe a temperature that is below a different threshold. For example, in the field of cryogenics, freezing might be used to describe a temperature below -80 degrees Celsius, while freezingly might be used to describe a temperature below -150 degrees Celsius.

It is important to note that these exceptions are not universal and may vary depending on the context and the audience. As such, it is always important to consider the rules of grammar and usage when deciding whether to use freezingly or freezing in your writing.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of freezingly and freezing is through practice exercises. Here are a few exercises to help you get started:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (freezingly or freezing) to fill in the blank in each sentence below:

1. The wind was blowing __________.
2. She shivered __________ in the cold.
3. The pond was __________ over.
4. He felt __________ cold after being outside for hours.
5. The temperature dropped __________ overnight.

Answer Key:

1. freezingly
2. freezingly
3. freezing
4. freezingly
5. freezing

Exercise 2: Sentence Writing

Write a sentence using each of the following words correctly:

1. freezingly
2. freezing

Answer Key:

1. The wind was blowing freezingly.
2. The water in the lake was freezing.

By practicing with these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of freezingly and freezing in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “freezingly” and “freezing,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and usage in the English language.

Key takeaways from this article include:

• “Freezing” is the correct term to describe temperatures below the freezing point, while “freezingly” is not a recognized word in standard English.
• “Freezingly” may be used in creative writing or poetry for emphasis or effect, but should be avoided in formal writing.
• It is important to be mindful of proper grammar and language use in order to effectively communicate with others.

As language is constantly evolving, it is important to continue learning and expanding our knowledge of grammar and usage. By doing so, we can improve our communication skills and better connect with those around us.