What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shook
Example
The earthquake shook the entire city. [shook: verb]
Example
I was so nervous that my hands shook uncontrollably. [shook: past tense]
Example
She shook her head in disbelief when she heard the news. [shake: verb]
jarred
Example
The car hit a pothole and we were jarred out of our seats. [jarred: past tense]
Example
The news of his sudden death jarred everyone who knew him. [jarred: verb]
Example
The sound of the thunder jarred my nerves. [jar: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shook is more commonly used than jarred in everyday language. Shook is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while jarred is less common and often used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shook and jarred?
Both shook and jarred are informal words that are suitable for casual conversations. However, jarred may be slightly more formal than shook due to its less frequent usage in everyday language.
