QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of jerk
1First recorded in 1540–50; 1935–40 for def. 4; earlier gi(e)rk, ierke; origin uncertain; perhaps dialectal variant of yerk “to draw stitches tight” (shoemaker's term), thus making the shoe ready to wear, from Old English gearcian “to prepare, make ready”
OTHER WORDS FROM jerk
jerk·er, nounjerk·ing·ly, adverbOther definitions for jerk (2 of 2)
jerk2
[ jurk ]
/ dʒɜrk /
verb (used with object)
to preserve (meat, especially beef) by cutting in strips and curing by drying in the sun.
adjective
being or containing a spicy seasoning mixture flavored with allspice, used especially in Jamaican cooking: jerk sauce.
prepared with jerk flavorings, especially by barbecuing or grilling: jerk chicken.
noun
Origin of jerk
2First recorded in 1700–10; back formation from jerky2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use jerk in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for jerk (1 of 2)
jerk1
/ (dʒɜːk) /
verb
noun
Derived forms of jerk
jerker, nounjerking, adjective, nounWord Origin for jerk
C16: probably variant of yerk to pull stitches tight in making a shoe; compare Old English gearcian to make ready
British Dictionary definitions for jerk (2 of 2)
jerk2
/ (dʒɜːk) /
verb (tr)
to preserve (venison, beef, etc) by cutting into thin strips and curing by drying in the sun
noun
Also called: jerky jerked meat, esp beef
Word Origin for jerk
C18: back formation from jerky, from charqui
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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