"An earthquake struck...last night."

From the list below, select the sentences that use the term "struck" correctly.

There may be more than one correct answer!

The ship struck a rock and sank during the storm.

This sentence uses the term "struck" correctly. In this context, the verb "to strike" means to come into contact (with something) with great force. If a "ship" strikes a rock, it crashes into it or collides with it. "To strike" is an irregular verb: strike/struck/struck.

The clock struck twelve and everybody shouted "Happy New Year".

This sentence uses the term "struck" correctly. "Struck" is the simple past of the verb "to strike", which generally describes the act of "hitting" or "physical contact". Here the verb is used figuratively. When a clock "strikes twelve", the hands of the clock have "reached" or "arrived at" the number twelve. Many old clocks sound or ring (twelve times in this case) to indicate the time. Many churches have bells which sound on the hour, when the clock strikes 12, etc. "To strike" is an irregular verb: strike/struck/struck.

It struck me as strange that he hadn't arrived by 11:00.

This sentence uses the term "struck" correctly. "Struck" is the simple past of the verb "to strike", which generally describes the act of "hitting" or "physical contact". Here the verb is used figuratively. If news "strikes (someone) as strange", then the news "seems" strange, or it is curious. Other variations of this idiom: it strikes me as odd, it strikes me that..., this news is striking.

Robert has been struck by lightning 48 times.

This sentence uses the term "struck" correctly, in the same way that it is used in the broadcast. "Struck" is the past participle of the verb "to strike", which generally describes the act of "hitting" or "physical contact". To be "struck" by lightning means to be "hit" by it. Here the verb is used in the passive voice. Did you know that nearly 2000 people throughout the world are hit by lightning every year? "To strike" is an irregular verb: strike/struck/struck.

My father recently suffered a struck at the age of 74.

"Struck" cannot be used as a noun. It is the past participle form of the verb "to strike". Do not confuse "struck" with the noun "a stroke", which describes a blockage of blood and oxygen to the brain, often causing paralysis.

The cat purred softly with pleasure when I struck its back gently.

This sentence uses the term "struck" incorrectly. Do not confuse "struck", a form of the verb "to strike", with the verb "to stroke", which can describe "caressing" or "touching something gently". Cats aren't happy when you hit them.

To strike someone as meaning in English

Definition

Examples

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