jerked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "jerked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden, sharp movement or action, often in a physical context. Example: "He jerked his hand away when he felt the heat from the stove."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Je suis what I say je suis, I beat up queers and stole from churches; burglary became a religious rite, elevating me to poet of the underworld even as I willingly debased myself in pissoirs Rene jerked himself off in a café full of whores to calm himself down, before stabbing the Gypsy boy through the heart for a few sous.

The Guardian - Books

"Their eyes burst with their grief; their hands jerked about their bodies, warding off now the flames and now the burning sands.

The Guardian - Opinion

That money bought him several hundred pigs, which he fattened with swill made from potato peelings and the meat of wild horses: "I shot 'em, jerked the hides off and cooked 'em myself," he said.

The Economist

But its handling of the crisis has been tough: interest rates were jerked up to punitive levels, and stability of a sort has returned within days.

The Economist

Mr Ishihara is by no means alone in viewing Japan as a puppet that is jerked around by the Americans.

The Economist

What made these three-storey apartment blocks so vulnerable was their poor resistance to the shear forces affecting the building as the foundations were jerked around.

The Economist

David Axelrod, his chief campaign strategist who will be a close presidential adviser, has reversed a statement made in November suggesting that Mr Obama had spoken to the Illinois governor about the Senate vacancy.Illinoisans, meanwhile, have been jerked from the hazy bliss that blanketed the state since Mr Obama's election.

The Economist

Meanwhile, the ground jerked upwards with a peak acceleration of 1.2g more than enough to toss buildings and bridges into the air before sending them crashing to the ground.

The Economist

The chief cabinet secretary, Hiromu Nonaka, quickly jerked Mr Nakamura back into line.Indeed, amending the 52-year-old constitution is fast becoming more than a vague dream for many of Japan's conservative politicians.

The Economist

When something jerked my line, my reaction was to yell, "Help!" The last time I caught a fish a small trout high in the Sierra Nevada mountains—I was six years old, with generous aid from a grown-up.

The Economist

He jerked around, but nothing was there.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jerked" to describe a sudden, sharp movement, particularly when the motion is somewhat involuntary or unexpected. For example, "He jerked his head up at the loud noise."

Common error

Avoid using "jerked" when a smoother or more controlled movement is intended. For instance, instead of saying "He jerked the door open gently", use "He opened the door gently" or "He carefully pulled the door open".

Linguistic Context

The word "jerked" functions primarily as a verb in the past tense or as a past participle. It describes a sudden, sharp, and often uncontrolled movement. Ludwig examples highlight its use in describing physical actions, such as "The car jerked forward."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "jerked" is a grammatically sound and frequently used word, primarily functioning as a verb in the past tense or as a past participle to depict a sudden, sharp movement. As supported by Ludwig's analysis, it appears across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and general narratives. While synonyms like "tugged" or "yanked" exist, "jerked" uniquely conveys an abrupt, often involuntary action. To ensure clarity, avoid using "jerked" for smooth, controlled movements. Overall, "jerked" is a versatile descriptor when portraying quick, forceful motions in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Pulled sharply

Emphasizes the suddenness and force of the pulling action, similar in meaning to "jerked".

Yanked

Suggests a quick, forceful pull, often implying more force or violence than "jerked".

Tugged

Implies a forceful pull, often with a single, strong motion. Less sudden than "jerked".

Wrenched

Denotes a violent twisting or pulling movement. It conveys greater force or strain than "jerked".

Snached

Refers to grasping or seizing something quickly and forcefully. More focused on the act of taking than the motion itself.

Twitched

Describes a small, involuntary muscle movement, less forceful and deliberate than "jerked".

Jerky movement

It's a nominal phrase describing a motion lacking smoothness or fluidity, implying an erratic or uneven quality distinct from a single "jerked" action.

Jiggled

Indicates a slight shaking movement, less forceful and abrupt than "jerked".

Lunged

Implies a sudden forward thrust or movement, distinct from a pulling or tugging action.

Bobbed

Describes a quick up-and-down movement, often in water. Lacks the forceful, linear nature of "jerked".

FAQs

How can I use "jerked" in a sentence?

The word "jerked" describes a sudden, sharp movement. Example: "The car "jerked forward" unexpectedly."

What's a good substitute for the word "jerked"?

Depending on the context, you could use "tugged", "yanked", or "twitched" as alternatives to "jerked".

Is it correct to say "jerked" when describing a smooth motion?

No, "jerked" implies a sudden, abrupt movement. For a smooth motion, use words like "glided", "moved smoothly", or "flowed".

What's the difference between "jerked" and "pulled"?

"Pulled" suggests a continuous force, whereas "jerked" implies a sudden, sharp application of force. "He "pulled the rope"" suggests a sustained action, while "He "jerked the rope"" suggests a quick, sharp tug.