What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
judder
Example
The car juddered as it hit a pothole on the road. [juddered: past tense]
Example
The washing machine judders when it's overloaded with clothes. [judders: present simple]
shudder
Example
I shuddered at the thought of going into the haunted house. [shuddered: past tense]
Example
The dog shuddered with fear during the thunderstorm. [shuddered: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shudder is more commonly used than judder in everyday language. Shudder is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while judder is less common and typically used in technical or mechanical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between judder and shudder?
Both judder and shudder are considered formal words and are not commonly used in casual conversation. However, judder is more technical and may be more appropriate in formal or technical writing, while shudder is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
