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Shining Vs Shinning: Which Should You Use In Writing?

Shining Vs Shinning: Which Should You Use In Writing?

Misspelling words comes with several troubles; for instance, a single letter can alter an entire meaning of a word, like in the case of shining and shinning. Can you tell the difference between these words, and do you know when to use each term? It can be frustrating if you do not know much about shining vs shinning.

The definition of shining is giving out or reflecting bright light. It also means bright and splendid in appearance. On the contrary, the word shinning means to climb something or to walk awkwardly. Sometimes, it is referred to as the up-and-down movement.

Now that you have seen how a single letter can alter the meaning of a word, it is essential to be careful with your writing; otherwise, you might pass on the wrong information. Besides the difference in definition, read on to learn more about the words shining and shinning.

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Definitions Of Shining And Shinning

Learning the definitions of words is vital as it helps you understand your subject better, improves your communication, and ensures that you use the words correctly. Definitions also help you learn a word that you might not know. We have researched the various meanings of shining and shinning and will highlight them below.

What Is The Definition Of Shining?

The meaning of shining is reflecting a bright and steady light or reflecting any type of light. Think of a glistening or sparkling effect.

Other sources define the word as excellent or perfect. This mostly applies to someone who has distinguished themselves in a certain activity or field. Such people are known for being brilliant. More synonyms include illustrious, prominent, distinguished, honored, or esteemed.

Another definition is “full of sunshine.” Shining also means excellent in a way that people admire; something or someone that is conspicuously fine.

What Is The Definition Of Shinning?

Shinning means climbing up something or a place using your limbs. It is also defined as climbing down something using hands and limbs or climbing down in an awkward style.

Other dictionaries define the word shinning as the present participle of the word shin. Shin means to climb up or down by gripping one arm’s legs while moving quickly.

How To Use Shining And Shinning In Your Sentences

Words are vital since they are the backbone of spoken or written communication. That‘s why it is crucial to understand different words and their meaning before using them. It is also vital to ensure you communicate effectively using the words you are sure of what they mean, not to carelessly use words. Learn the proper way of using the words shining and shinning in the sections below.

How To Use The Word Shining

Shining is an adjective, meaning it is a noun’s naming attribute. In this case, the word shining describes how something looks.

Use shining to refer to someone with reasonable skill, talent, or presentation. Also, when describing someone who is an excellent example with qualities that should be admired or emulated. The word also applies when referring to something neat, tidy, and clean.

You can also use this word when referring to light that the stars and other astronomy components in the sky elucidates.

As a noun, this word is used to identify any class of people, places, or things. In this case, the noun will describe how a person, place, or something looks great.

This word is also commonly used when referring to the present participle of the word shine. Shine refers to radiant light rays or making something smooth or shiny by cleaning, rubbing, or grinding. It also means to be very good at something.

Understanding Shine And Shining

Do you know that the root word for shining is shine? That means these two words have a connection. The verb shine means to give out bright light; sparkling, polished, and captivating light. The word shining is the present participle of the word shine. In a sentence, “The new bulbs are shining brighter today.” The present participle is used in the continuous tenses of a word.

How To Use The Word Shinning

The word shinning is only used when referring to someone or something climbing up or down something at high speeds. 

The word is the present participle of the word shin. The present participle is the verb form of a word that ends with” -ing.”

Shining Vs Shinning: Differences That Are Always Overlooked

Though they might look like the same words, the words shining and shinning are different. Here is a look at some of the differences that most people overlook.

Spellings

In English, you must be keen on how you spell your words. Note that a slight error could have a significant impact on the message that you want to pass across. It might change the meaning of the entire word. One of the differences you need to understand about the words “shining” and “shinning” is that they have different spellings. The correct spelling of the word “shining” is “S.H.I.N.I.N.G” while the correct spelling of the word “shinning” is “S.H.I.N.N.I.N.G.” If you are not keen, you might not notice the difference.

Pronunciation

The other difference that people overlook between the words “shining” and “shinning” is the pronunciation. Most people use one pronunciation of these words, but each has unique sounds. The correct pronunciation of “shining” is “shai.nuhng,” while the correct pronunciation of the word “shinning” is “shi.nuhng.” When pronouncing these words, emphasize the first syllables.

History

The word shining is the present participle of the word shine. The word originates from the Gothic word “skeinan,” which means “to shine or to appear.” It was then borrowed by the Germans, who used the word “scheinen,” and the Dutch, who used it as “schijnen.” Later the word was introduced in Old English as “scinan” and then changed to “shinen” before it changed to “shine.”

On the other hand, shinning is the present participle of the word shin. The word shin originates from the German word “schene” before the Dutch borrowed and used it as “skino.” It was then introduced to English and “shin.”

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Word Vs Word Posts

Bulleted List Examples Of Shining And Shinning In Sentences

You might have difficulty using these words even after learning the definition and meanings. In such cases, you need to find sentences with both words so they can understand a few things. If you still need help with using the words shining and shinning in your sentences, here are some sentences to guide you.

Example sentences with the word shining

  1. Her latest poem was a shining example of what poetry is all about.
  2. We used the shining moon as a backdrop for your photo shoot.
  3. The team took home a shining golden cup.
  4. The only funny thing about the animal in the cave is its shining eyes.
  5. We left the movie theater when the sun was shining bright.

Example sentences with the word shinning

  1. The students were shinning up the pole during the P.E. lesson.
  2. The thieves escaped from prison by shinning down the wall.
  3. The couples were shinning up the tree to escape from the bear.
  4. Shinning up a twenty feet rope was part of the soldiers’ training.
  5. The little mouse ran, shinning up the curtain to hide from the cat.

The Verdict: Shining Vs Shinning

There you have it. The words shining and shinning might seem the same. It is no wonder that most people use them interchangeably, mostly when referring to something that gives bright light. However, as the article discusses, these words are unrelated and should not be used as synonyms.