What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spastic
Example
The patient's spastic movements were a result of their neurological condition. [spastic: adjective]
Example
She has spastic cerebral palsy, which affects her ability to walk and move her limbs. [spastic: noun]
jerky
Example
The car's jerky movements made me feel nauseous. [jerky: adjective]
Example
His jerky handwriting was difficult to read. [jerky: adjective]
Example
She walked with a jerky gait due to her knee injury. [jerky: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jerky is more commonly used than spastic in everyday language. Spastic is a medical term that is less commonly used outside of medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spastic and jerky?
Spastic is a more formal term that is typically used in medical contexts. Jerky is a more informal term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
