Soar is a regular verb that means to increase or rise to a high level. Sore on the other hand is an adjective that pertains to something annoying, painful, or upsetting. Soar andsore may sound the same, but these words are different in more ways than just their spelling. Both soar and sore can also work as nouns.
When to Use Soar
Soar as a Verb
The action word soar describes things that can move up such as airplanes, prices, and hopes. It is especially used when referring to a rapid rise or increase. Another usage of the verb soar doesn’t relate to movement but how an object looks tall and imposing like buildings, cliffs, and trees.
Birds soar high into the sky.
Our spirits soared when we received the highest honor.
Skyscrapers in New York soar above the skyline.
Soar as a Noun
As a noun, soar isn’t commonly used, but it has at least two meanings. It can be the act of rising upward or the range attained in soaring.
The soar of the underdogs is always satisfying to see.
It’s the soar after the fall that matters.
Soar as an Adjective
When used as an adjective, soar is added with the suffix -ing. The adjective soaring is only placed before a noun. It can mean going up rapidly or standing out.
There’s no stopping the soaring fuel prices.
Utah is home to soaring mountains.
When to Use Sore
Sore as an Adjective
Sore can be used to describe a body part that feels achy or anything that causes difficulties. People can be called sore too. The idiom “a sore loser” means someone who reacts badly when they lose a competition. In informal American English usage, a person is sore when they get upset or angry because they’re not being treated fairly.
I find it very difficult to move because my muscles are sore.
Talking about him is a sore point with her.
They’re sore because everyone is ignoring their presence.
Sore as a Noun
A sore or soresare a painful spot on a body part that may be due to infection, wound, or inflammation. Sores often look red, and there are sores that have liquid oozing out of them. Terms that are derived from the noun sore include canker sore, which appears within the mouth. Another one is bedsore, which is a result of prolonged lying in bed.
Patricia’s sores make her miserable.
Cold sores are caused by a virus, and they’re found near or inside the mouth.
That running sore seems to never heal.
Sore as an Adverb
Adjectives can be added with the suffix -ly or -lly to turn them into adverbs. When added with -ly, sore becomes sorely,an adverb that means greatly, seriously, or painfully.
Doctors Without Borders provides sorely needed medical care.
The current administration is sorely out of touch with the people’s needs.
Soar vs. Sore: Which One Is Correct?
Both soar and sore are correct words. They share the same sound, but they have entirely different meanings. Keep in mind that soar with an “a” is a verb that illustrates going up quickly while sore with an “e” is an adjective that indicates annoyance or pain.
References:
Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.). Soaring. In https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/soaring
Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.). Sorely. In https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary. Retrieved from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/sorely
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online. (n.d.). Soar. In https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/soar
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online. (n.d.). Sore. In https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/sore
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Soar. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soar
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Sore. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sore
