Cast vs Sling

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Cast

Top 1,000 (very common) B2 verb

Sling

Top 5,000 (fairly common)

Most common: Cast

	Cast	Sling
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/kɑːst/","/kɑːsts/","/ˈkɑːstɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/kæst/","/kæsts/","/ˈkæstɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 //slɪŋ// 🇺🇸 //slɪŋ//
Meaning	To throw something or to put it somewhere.	To throw something with force.
Example	She decided to cast her line into the lake hoping to catch some fish.	He decided to sling his backpack over his shoulder.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 5,000 (fairly common)
CEFR level	B2	-
Part of speech	verb
Collocations	cast a spell, cast a vote, cast a net, cast doubt, cast a shadow	sling something, sling over, sling back, sling across, sling your arm
Antonyms	catch, receive	catch, hold
Common mistakes	Confused with 'caused' in pronunciation., Used with incorrect verbs, e.g., saying 'cast a picture' instead of 'cast a role'., Misunderstanding the past tense; the past form is 'cast', not 'casted'.	Confused with 'sling' meaning a type of bag., Using 'slung' incorrectly in past tense forms., Not using appropriate object with 'sling'.
Usage notes	Used in various contexts, like throwing a fishing line or acting in a play. Not usually used in very casual conversations.	Use 'sling' for casual or physical contexts. It's not common in formal writing. Avoid using it in contexts that require elegance.

See it in real clips

Avengers › Avengers Infinity War

But it cast me out, banished me here.

Stranger Things › S1 E1

He cast Fireball.

...they'll cast you out like a leper.

Avengers › Avengers Infinity War

But it cast me out, banished me here.

Stranger Things › S1 E1

He cast Fireball.

Cast

where is that sling rope I told you to order?

Sling

Frequently asked questions: Cast vs Sling

What's the difference between Cast and Sling?

Cast: To throw something or to put it somewhere. Sling: To throw something with force.

Which is more common: Cast and Sling?

Cast is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Cast: She decided to cast her line into the lake hoping to catch some fish. Sling: He decided to sling his backpack over his shoulder.

Can I use Cast and Sling interchangeably?

Not always. Cast and Sling are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.