Pining vs Pinning: Which Should You Use In Writing?

Are you one of the many people who get confused between the words “pining” and “pinning”? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. These two words may sound similar, but they have different meanings and uses. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between pining and pinning, and help you understand when to use each word correctly.

Let’s define these two terms. Pining refers to a feeling of longing or yearning for something or someone, often accompanied by sadness or grief. Pinning, on the other hand, refers to fastening or securing something in place with a pin or similar object.

So, which of these words is the proper one to use? Well, it depends on the context of your sentence. If you are talking about a feeling of longing or yearning, then pining is the correct word to use. If you are talking about fastening or securing something with a pin, then pinning is the right choice.

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s dive a little deeper into the meanings and uses of each word.

Define Pining

Pining refers to a feeling of longing or yearning for something or someone that is unattainable or out of reach. It is often associated with a sense of sadness or melancholy, and can be caused by a variety of factors such as unrequited love, nostalgia for the past, or a desire for something that is beyond one’s grasp.

People who are pining may experience a range of emotions, from wistfulness and daydreaming to frustration and despair. The term is often used in a romantic context, but can also apply to other types of desires or goals.

Define Pinning

Pinning, on the other hand, refers to the act of attaching or securing something in place using a pin or similar device. It can also refer to the act of marking or indicating a location or item using a pin or other small object.

In the context of social media, pinning often refers to the practice of highlighting a particular post or comment so that it appears at the top of a feed or thread. This can be useful for drawing attention to important information or announcements, or for keeping a particular conversation or topic at the forefront of a discussion.

Pining	Pinning
Feeling of longing or yearning	Act of attaching or securing something in place
Sadness or melancholy	Marking or indicating a location or item
Often associated with unrequited love or nostalgia	Used in social media to highlight a post or comment

While the two terms may sound similar, they have very different meanings and connotations. It is important to use them correctly in order to avoid confusion or misunderstandings.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to writing, using the right words in a sentence is crucial to ensure that your message is conveyed accurately. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words “pining” and “pinning” in a sentence.

How To Use “Pining” In A Sentence

“Pining” is a verb that means to feel a strong desire or longing for something or someone. Here are some examples of how to use “pining” in a sentence:

• After breaking up with his girlfriend, he spent months pining for her.
• She was pining for her homeland, which she had not visited in years.
• The cat was pining for its owner, who was away on vacation.

As you can see from these examples, “pining” is often used to describe a strong emotional longing for something or someone.

How To Use “Pinning” In A Sentence

“Pinning” is a verb that has a few different meanings. It can mean to attach or fasten something to a surface using a pin or other device. It can also mean to hold someone down or restrain them. Here are some examples of how to use “pinning” in a sentence:

• She was pinning her hair up in a bun.
• The teacher was pinning the student’s artwork to the bulletin board.
• The wrestler was pinning his opponent to the mat.

As you can see from these examples, “pinning” is often used to describe physically attaching or holding something or someone down.

More Examples Of Pining & Pinning Used In Sentences

In order to better understand the difference between pining and pinning, it is helpful to see them used in context. Here are some examples of how each word can be used in a sentence:

Examples Of Using Pining In A Sentence

• She was pining for her lost love.
• The dog was pining for his owner who had gone on vacation.
• He spent his days pining away in his small apartment.
• The actress was pining for a role in the new movie.
• He was pining for the good old days when he was young and carefree.
• She spent hours pining over her ex-boyfriend’s social media posts.
• The soldier was pining for his family back home.
• He was pining for a chance to prove himself in the business world.
• She was pining for a sense of purpose in her life.
• He was pining for a cold beer after a long day at work.

Examples Of Using Pinning In A Sentence

• She was pinning the hem of her dress.
• The gymnast was pinning her hopes on winning the gold medal.
• He was pinning the blame on his coworker.
• The chef was pinning his recipe to the bulletin board.
• She was pinning her hair back with a bobby pin.
• He was pinning the map to the wall with thumbtacks.
• The detective was pinning the suspect to the ground.
• She was pinning her opponent in a wrestling match.
• He was pinning his hopes on getting a promotion.
• The seamstress was pinning the fabric together before sewing.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “pining” and “pinning,” people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings and usage. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Pining” Instead Of “Pinning”

One common mistake is using “pining” instead of “pinning.” While “pining” means longing or yearning for something, “pinning” refers to attaching or fastening something with a pin. For example, saying “I’m pining this note to the bulletin board” is incorrect; it should be “I’m pinning this note to the bulletin board.”

Using “Pinning” Instead Of “Pining”

Another mistake is using “pinning” instead of “pining.” While “pinning” refers to attaching something with a pin, “pining” means longing or yearning for something. For example, saying “I’m pinning for my hometown” is incorrect; it should be “I’m pining for my hometown.”

Confusing “Pining” With “Whining”

Some people also confuse “pining” with “whining.” While “pining” means longing or yearning for something, “whining” refers to complaining or grumbling. For example, saying “Stop pining about your problems” is incorrect; it should be “Stop whining about your problems.”

To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the meanings and usage of “pining” and “pinning.” One way to do this is to practice using them correctly in your writing and speech. Additionally, you can refer to a dictionary or style guide for guidance. By avoiding these mistakes, you can communicate more effectively and confidently.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “pining” and “pinning,” context is key. The two words may seem similar, but their meanings and connotations can differ greatly depending on the situation in which they are used.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “pining” and “pinning” might change:

Context	Explanation	Example
Social Media	On social media platforms like Pinterest, “pinning” refers to saving or bookmarking content that you like or want to revisit later.	“I just pinned a bunch of recipes to my ‘Dinner Ideas’ board on Pinterest.”
Emotional State	When someone is “pining,” they are typically experiencing a deep longing or yearning for something or someone that they cannot have.	“Ever since she moved away, I’ve been pining for my best friend.”
Physical Action	“Pinning” can also refer to physically attaching or securing something in place with a pin or other fastener.	“I’m pinning up this hem so it doesn’t drag on the ground.”

As you can see, the choice between “pining” and “pinning” can vary widely depending on the context in which they are used. It’s important to consider the specific meaning and connotations of each word before deciding which one to use.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using pining and pinning are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where they might not apply. In these cases, it’s important to understand the context of the words to determine which is the correct choice.

Exception 1: Pinning As A Noun

In some cases, pinning can be used as a noun instead of a verb. For example, in sewing or fashion design, pinning refers to the act of securing fabric with pins before sewing it together. In this context, pining would not be appropriate as it does not have the same meaning.

Exception 2: Pining For Something Other Than A Person

While pining is commonly used to describe longing for a person, it can also be used to describe longing for something else, such as a place or a time period. In these cases, pinning would not be appropriate as it does not convey the same emotional attachment. For example:

• She was pining for the days of her youth.
• He was pining for the mountains he had left behind.

Exception 3: Idiomatic Expressions

There are some idiomatic expressions where pining or pinning might be used, depending on the specific phrase. For example:

Phrase	Correct Word Choice	Explanation
Pin your hopes on	Pin	This phrase means to rely on or place your hopes in something. Pining would not be appropriate as it does not convey the same sense of reliance.
Pining away	Pining	This phrase means to waste away or deteriorate due to longing or grief. Pinning would not be appropriate as it does not convey the same emotional attachment.

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a better understanding of the difference between pining and pinning, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Here are some practice exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these two words in sentences:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank in each sentence:

1. She was __________ for her ex-boyfriend, even though he had treated her badly.
2. The seamstress was __________ the fabric to the dress form.
3. He couldn’t stop __________ after seeing his favorite band in concert.
4. The cat was __________ after the laser pointer.

Answer Key:

1. pining
2. pinning
3. pining
4. pinning

Exercise 2: Correct The Sentence

Each of the following sentences contains an incorrect usage of pining or pinning. Rewrite the sentence with the correct word:

1. Incorrect: She was pinning for her ex-boyfriend, even though he had treated her badly.
2. Incorrect: He was pining a note to the bulletin board.
3. Incorrect: The dog was pinning for his owner to come home.

Answer Key:

1. Correct: She was pining for her ex-boyfriend, even though he had treated her badly.
2. Correct: He was pinning a note to the bulletin board.
3. Correct: The dog was pining for his owner to come home.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “pining” and “pinning,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. “Pining” refers to a feeling of longing or yearning, while “pinning” refers to fastening or securing something in place.

It is important to pay attention to the context in which these words are used to ensure that the intended meaning is conveyed accurately. Misusing these words can lead to confusion and miscommunication.

As with any aspect of language, it is important to continue learning and improving our grammar and language use. By expanding our vocabulary and understanding the nuances of words, we can communicate more effectively and avoid misunderstandings.