Electronegativity Question?

Question

Use the definition of electronegativity to explain why small differences in electronegativity between two atoms result in the formation of a covalent bond rather than ionic bond between the atoms?

Answer 1

Electronegativity is the attraction one atom has for a pair of shared electrons. If the difference in electronegativity values between two atom is very small, it means that those two atoms will attract the pair of e- with nearly the same force. These two-way tugs of war for the e- will be an even battle and the e- will be shared between the two atoms instead of one atom overpowering the other and actually taking the e- away to form an ionic bond.