What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rocked
Example
The baby was rocked to sleep in her mother's arms. [rocked: past tense]
Example
The earthquake rocked the city, causing widespread damage. [rocked: verb]
jolt
Example
The car hit a pothole and gave us a jolt. [jolt: noun]
Example
She was jolted awake by a loud noise outside. [jolted: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jolt is more commonly used than rocked in everyday language. Jolt is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while rocked is less common and refers to specific types of motion or emotional experiences.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rocked and jolt?
Both rocked and jolt are informal words that can be used in casual conversations or writing. However, jolt can also be used in more formal contexts, like scientific or technical writing, to describe sudden impacts or shocks.