What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
jarred
Example
The loud noise jarred me awake from my sleep. [jarred: verb]
Example
The news of his sudden death jarred her emotionally. [jarred: past tense]
Example
The bright colors of the painting jarred with the muted tones of the room. [jarred: past participle]
shock
Example
I was in shock when I heard the news of the accident. [shock: noun]
Example
The audience was shocked by the unexpected plot twist. [shocked: adjective]
Example
He received a shock when he touched the live wire. [shock: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shock is more commonly used than jarred in everyday language. Shock is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while jarred is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between jarred and shock?
Both jarred and shock can be used in formal and informal contexts, but shock is more versatile and can be employed in a wider range of formality levels.