Planing vs. Planning — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on April 4, 2024
Planing is the act of smoothing or shaping a surface, especially wood, while Planning refers to the process of making plans for something.
Difference Between Planing and Planning
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Planing and Planning, at first glance, may seem related due to their similar spelling, but they have entirely distinct definitions. Planing pertains to the act of shaving or smoothing, typically wood, using a plane. In contrast, Planning is all about strategizing or determining steps for future actions.
While Planing can be a physical act often associated with woodworking or carpentry, Planning is a mental or organizational process. One might be planing a wooden board to make it smooth, but they would be planning a weekend trip or a project's execution.
The tools involved also highlight the difference between Planing and Planning. Planing typically involves a tool called a "plane" which shaves off layers of wood to achieve a desired thickness or smoothness. Planning, on the other hand, might involve calendars, lists, or software to help strategize and organize.
If someone says they're planing a piece of timber, it's clear they're working to shape or smooth that wood. But if they mention they're planning a meeting, it indicates they're organizing or scheduling a future event.
Interestingly, one letter can change the whole context of a word. While Planing has a more tactile, hands-on implication, Planning is centered around forethought and organization.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Shaving or smoothing, typically wood
Strategizing or making plans
Part of Speech
Verb
Verb, Noun
Associated Tools
Plane
Calendars, lists, software
Derived Words
Planed (past tense of planing)
Planner, Planning session
Example Context
Planing a wooden board
Planning a vacation
Compare with Definitions
Planing
Shaping wood with a plane.
The carpenter spent hours planing the intricate details.
Planning
The act of organizing.
She was always planning family gatherings.
Planing
Smoothing a surface.
He was planing the door to make it fit.
Planning
Intending or deciding in advance.
We are planning to visit Europe next summer.
Planing
The action of a boat lifting out of the water.
The speedboat was planing across the lake.
Planning
Preparing and scheduling.
Planning our meals for the week helps us eat healthier.
Planing
Removing the top layer of something.
Planing the old paint revealed the wood's grain.
Planning
Strategizing for the future.
Planning ahead can save a lot of trouble later.
Planing
Making a surface flat.
Planing the table ensured it was perfectly level.
Planning
Designing or laying out.
The architect is planning a new mall.
Planing
Not an independent word but used with other words to convey their meaning i.e. hydroplaning
Planning
Planning is the process of thinking about the activities required to achieve a desired goal. It is the first and foremost activity to achieve desired results.
Planing
A carpenter's tool with an adjustable blade for smoothing and leveling wood.
Planning
The process of making plans for something
The planning stages of the operation
Mass production methods call for detailed planning
Planing
A trowel-shaped tool for smoothing the surface of clay, sand, or plaster in a mold.
Planning
An orderly or step-by-step conception or proposal for accomplishing an objective
A plan for improving math instruction.
Planing
To smooth or finish with a plane
Planed the door.
Planning
A proposed or intended course of action
Had no plans for the evening.
Planing
To remove with a plane
Plane off the rough edges on a board.
Planning
A systematic arrangement of elements or important parts; a configuration or outline
A seating plan.
The plan of a story.
Planing
To work with a plane.
Planning
A drawing or diagram made to scale showing the structure or arrangement of something.
Planing
To rise partly out of the water, as a hydroplane does at high speeds.
Planning
In perspective rendering, one of several imaginary planes perpendicular to the line of vision between the viewer and the object being depicted.
Planing
To soar or glide.
Planning
A program or policy stipulating a service or benefit
A pension plan.
Planing
To travel by airplane.
Planning
To formulate a scheme or program for the accomplishment, enactment, or attainment of
Plan a campaign.
Planing
Present participle of plane
Planning
To have as a specific aim or purpose; intend
They plan to buy a house.
Planing
The act by which something is planed.
Planning
To draw or make a graphic representation of.
Planning
To make plans.
Planning
Present participle of plan
Planning
(uncountable) Action of the verb to plan.
Planning
The act of formulating of a course of action, or of drawing up plans.
Planning
The act of making contingency plans.
Planning
Planning permission.
My neighbours were going to build an extension but they didn't get planning.
Planning
An act of formulating a program for a definite course of action;
The planning was more fun than the trip itself
Planning
The act or process of drawing up plans or layouts for some project or enterprise
Planning
The cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening;
His planning for retirement was hindered by several uncertainties
Common Curiosities
Is Planing only associated with wood?
Mostly, but it can also refer to a boat moving on the water with its bow lifted.
Do Planing and Planning mean the same thing?
No, Planing refers to smoothing or shaping, especially wood, while Planning involves making plans.
What tool is associated with Planing?
A plane is typically used for planing.
Which term would you use when organizing an event?
You would be "planning" an event.
Can Planing also refer to removing material other than wood?
Primarily, it refers to wood, but contextually it could mean removing the top layer of other materials.
Why might someone be Planing wood?
To smooth it, shape it, or fit it properly.
Can you use software for Planning?
Yes, many use software tools for planning tasks, projects, or events.
Can Planning be both a verb and a noun?
Yes, you can be "planning" something (verb) or refer to the "planning" of an event (noun).
Can you "plan" on doing something without making detailed plans?
Yes, "plan" can mean a general intention without detailed organization.
Is Planing typically a manual process?
Yes, especially in the context of woodworking.
Can you be "planning" a piece of wood?
Typically, no. Planning involves making plans, while planing involves shaping wood.
Is a "planner" someone who does Planing?
No, a "planner" is associated with planning, often someone who organizes or schedules.
What's another word for Planning in the context of strategizing?
Another term could be "organizing" or "scheduling."
What might be a synonym for Planing?
"Smoothing" or "shaping" in the context of woodworking.
Does Planning always require writing things down?
No, while writing can aid planning, one can plan mentally or verbally as well.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
