Swim vs. Swimming — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 27, 2023
"Swim" can be a verb (to engage in the act) or a noun (a period of doing so); "swimming" is the gerund form of the verb or the action itself. Both relate to moving through water using limbs.
Difference Between Swim and Swimming
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Key Differences
Swim and Swimming are intrinsically linked, both centering around the act of moving through water. "Swim" functions primarily as a verb, denoting the act of swimming. For instance, when someone says, "I swim every morning," it expresses a habitual action. On the flip side, "swimming" stands as the gerund or present participle form of "swim," indicating the action or activity in a continuous sense.
In many contexts, Swim and Swimming can be used interchangeably, though with slight differences in implication. Consider the difference between "I love to swim" and "I love swimming." The former focuses on the verb, the act itself, while the latter emphasizes the activity or the experience of swimming as a whole.
Grammatically, Swim and Swimming have distinct roles. "Swim" can also act as a noun, referring to a period or instance of swimming, as in "I had a refreshing swim this morning." "Swimming," while mostly serving as a gerund, can also be a noun, referring to the sport or activity itself, as in "Swimming is a popular Olympic sport."
In everyday conversation, Swim and Swimming capture the essence of the aquatic activity we all know. For someone unfamiliar with the water, they might say, "I can't swim." For enthusiasts who find solace in the rhythmic motion and the weightlessness of water, they might express, "Swimming is my therapy."
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Primarily a verb, but can be a noun
Gerund (verb form) and can be a noun (referring to the activity)
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Usage in Time
Refers to the act in general or specific instances
Indicates continuous or ongoing action
Reference to Activity
Can refer to the act or a period of doing so
Refers to the activity or sport itself
In Expressing Preference
"I prefer to swim"
"I prefer swimming"
In Contextual Usage
"I swim in the ocean" (specific action)
"I enjoy swimming" (general activity)
Compare with Definitions
Swim
To propel oneself in water by moving the limbs.
She learned to swim when she was five.
Swimming
The act or skill of propelling oneself in water.
Swimming is an excellent form of exercise.
Swim
To move or glide smoothly.
The ducks swim across the pond effortlessly.
Swimming
A condition in which things appear to be moving around.
He felt a sensation of swimming in his head after standing up too quickly.
Swim
To be covered or flooded with a liquid.
His eyes swim with tears.
Swimming
The sport or activity of propelling oneself through water using the limbs.
She's on the school's swimming team.
Swim
A particular act or instance of swimming.
After a long swim, he felt refreshed.
Swimming
Swimming is the self-propulsion of a person through water, or a liquid substance, usually for recreation, sport, exercise, or survival. Locomotion is achieved through coordinated movement of the limbs and the body.
Swim
To move through or on top of water by moving the limbs, fins, or tail or by undulating the body
Ducks swam in the pond.
Swimming
The act, sport, or technique of one that swims.
Swim
To play or relax in water
The children went swimming in the surf.
Swimming
Relating to or used in swimming.
Swim
To float on water or another liquid
Suds swam on the surface of the dishwater.
Swimming
Capable of swimming
Swimming insects.
Swim
To be covered or flooded with a liquid
Chicken swimming in gravy.
Swimming
The act or art of sustaining and propelling the body in water.
Swim
To possess a superfluity; abound
After winning the lottery, she was swimming in money.
Swimming
The state of being dizzy or in vertigo.
Swim
To experience a floating or giddy sensation; be dizzy
"his brain still swimming with the effects of the last night's champagne" (Robert Smith Surtees).
Swimming
Present participle of swim
Swim
To appear to float or spin slowly
The room swam before my eyes.
Swimming
That swims; capable of swimming; adapted to, or used in, swimming; as, a swimming bird; a swimming motion.
Swim
To move through or across (a body of water or a distance) by swimming
She swam the channel. I swam 10 laps.
Swimming
Suffused with moisture; as, swimming eyes.
Swim
To execute (a particular stroke) in swimming.
Swimming
Being in a state of vertigo or dizziness; as, a swimming brain.
Swim
The act of swimming
Went for a swim before lunch.
Swimming
The act of one who swims.
Swim
A distance covered by or period of time spent swimming.
Swimming
Vertigo; dizziness; as, a swimming in the head.
Swim
An area, as of a river, abounding in fish.
Swimming
The act of swimming
Swim
Of, relating to, or used for swimming
A swim mask.
Swimming
Filled or brimming with tears;
Swimming eyes
Watery eyes
Sorrow made the eyes of many grow liquid
Swim
(intransitive) To move through the water, without touching the bottom; to propel oneself in water by natural means.
Swimming
Applied to a fish depicted horizontally
Swim
(intransitive) To become immersed in, or as if in, or flooded with, or as if with, a liquid
Swimming in self-pity
A bare few bits of meat swimming in watery sauce
Swimming
Moving smoothly or effortlessly.
The dancers were swimming through the air.
Swim
(intransitive) To move around freely because of excess space.
Swimming
Flooded or immersed in a liquid.
The streets were swimming in rainwater.
Swim
(transitive) To traverse (a specific body of water, or a specific distance) by swimming; or, to utilize a specific swimming stroke; or, to compete in a specific swimming event.
For exercise, we like to swim laps around the pool.
I want to swim the 200-yard breaststroke in the finals.
Swim
To cause to swim.
To swim a horse across a river
Half of the guinea pigs were swum daily.
Swim
To float.
Sink or swim
Swim
(intransitive) To be overflowed or drenched.
Swim
(transitive) To immerse in water to make the lighter parts float.
To swim wheat in order to select seed
Swim
To test (a suspected witch) by throwing into a river; those who floated rather than sinking were deemed to be witches.
Swim
(intransitive) To glide along with a waving motion.
Swim
(intransitive) To be dizzy or vertiginous; have a giddy sensation; to have, or appear to have, a whirling motion.
My head was swimming after drinking two bottles of cheap wine.
Swim
An act or instance of swimming.
I'm going for a swim.
Swim
The sound, or air bladder, of a fish.
Swim
(UK) A part of a stream much frequented by fish.
Swim
A dance move of the 1960s in which the arms are moved in a freestyle swimming manner.
Swim
A dizziness; swoon.
Swim
Abbreviation of someone who isn't meused as a way to avoid self-designation or self-incrimination, especially in online drug forums
Swim
To be supported by water or other fluid; not to sink; to float; as, any substance will swim, whose specific gravity is less than that of the fluid in which it is immersed.
Swim
To move progressively in water by means of strokes with the hands and feet, or the fins or the tail.
Leap in with me into this angry flood,And swim to yonder point.
Swim
To be overflowed or drenched.
Sudden the ditches swell, the meadows swim.
Swim
Fig.: To be as if borne or floating in a fluid.
[They] now swim in joy.
Swim
To be filled with swimming animals.
[Streams] that swim full of small fishes.
Swim
To pass or move over or on by swimming; as, to swim a stream.
Sometimes he thought to swim the stormy main.
Swim
To cause or compel to swim; to make to float; as, to swim a horse across a river.
Swim
To immerse in water that the lighter parts may float; as, to swim wheat in order to select seed.
Swim
To be dizzy; to have an unsteady or reeling sensation; as, the head swims.
Swim
The act of swimming; a gliding motion, like that of one swimming.
Swim
The sound, or air bladder, of a fish.
Swim
A part of a stream much frequented by fish.
Swim
The act of swimming
Swim
Travel through water;
We had to swim for 20 minutes to reach the shore
A big fish was swimming in the tank
Swim
Be afloat; stay on a liquid surface; not sink
Swim
To appear to be moving in one's vision.
The room started to swim before her eyes.
Common Curiosities
Is "swimming" only an activity?
Primarily, yes, but "swimming" can also refer to the sport or the sensation of things appearing to move.
Is "swim" always related to water?
Primarily, yes, but "swim" can also metaphorically describe a gliding motion or being immersed in a feeling.
Can "swim" be a noun?
Yes, "swim" can refer to a period or instance of swimming, e.g., "I had a good swim."
How do I express a past habit of swimming?
"I used to swim every summer."
How is "swimming" used in a continuous tense?
"Swimming" can be used like this: "She is swimming in the pool right now."
What is the noun form for someone who swims?
"Swimmer."
Can "swimming" imply being covered or immersed?
Yes, e.g., "The floor was swimming in water" means the floor was covered with water.
Is "swimming" always a solo activity?
No, swimming can be solo or competitive, as in races or synchronized swimming.
Can animals "swim"?
Yes, many animals, like fish and dolphins, swim as their primary mode of movement.
Can "swimming" be an adjective?
Not typically, but phrases like "swimming goggles" use it in a descriptive sense.
How do I use "swimming" in the context of a sport?
"She's participating in the swimming championships next month."
How do I describe someone's ability to swim?
"She can swim" or "She is a good swimmer."
What's the difference between "I swim" and "I am swimming"?
"I swim" is simple present, indicating a general fact or habit. "I am swimming" is present continuous, indicating a current action.
Can "swim" be used metaphorically?
Yes, e.g., "His head was swimming with ideas," meaning he had many thoughts.
What is the infinitive form related to "swimming"?
"To swim."
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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.
