Learn English – overlap versus overlapping as nouns

differencenouns

It seems that both overlap and overlapping can be used as nouns. What are their differences then? Can they be both used as countable nouns with the same meaning? Thanks!

Best Answer

True, overlap and overlapping both can be used as nouns. The difference is clear...

overlap (n): flap that lies over another part AS IN The overlap of the shingles should be at least ten inches.

overlapping (n): covering with a design in which one element covers a part of another AS IN Do the job carefully. The overlapping should be perfect or else it won't look symmetrical.

Please note that overlapping as a noun is very rare.

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