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  4. Scrape vs. Scrap
Commonly Confused Words

Scrape vs. Scrap

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Scrape and scrap look and sound somewhat similar, but their meanings are completely different. One is about rubbing or scratching a surface, and the other is about throwing something away or keeping leftover pieces.

Scrape

Scrape means to rub, scratch, or remove something from a surface. It often causes a mark or a small injury.

  • Be careful not to scrape your knee.
  • I had to scrape ice off the car window.
  • The chair scraped loudly across the floor.

Scrap

Scrap has two main meanings:

  • A small leftover piece of something (paper, metal, food).
  • To throw something away or cancel it.
  • He wrote the number on a scrap of paper.
  • They decided to scrap the project and start again.
  • The factory recycles metal scraps.

💡 Tip

  • Scrape (long “a,” like grape) = rub or scratch a surface.
  • Scrap (short “a,” like map) = a leftover piece, or to cancel.

Test your knowledge 📝

Question 1 sur 8Score: 0/8

Be careful not to ___ your knee on the pavement.

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