Knackered is British slang for extremely tired. I'm knackered after carrying boxes up four floors. About a thing it means broken or worn out: the old lawnmower is completely knackered. The first k is silent: /ˈnæk.əd/. It's for friends; in an email to a client, say exhausted.
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be / feel knackered; too knackered to + verb; a knackered object
- I am knackered after carrying boxes up four flights of stairs.
- The old lawnmower is completely knackered.
- We were too knackered to cook after the long journey.
What changed
First versionIn an email to a client: I am knackered after the journey and will reply tomorrow.
RevisionIn an email to a client: I am exhausted after the journey and will reply tomorrow.
The grammar is fine; the problem is the register. Knackered belongs in a chat with friends. To a client you write exhausted or very tired: the same meaning, but the email sounds professional.
Tired and exhausted are both neutral, and exhausted is stronger. Knackered means the same as exhausted, but it's British and casual. For a broken object in writing, use broken or worn out.
Your turn
Choose the neutral wording for a client email: I am ___ after the journey.
Show the answer
exhausted — Exhausted suits a neutral email to a client. Knackered is British slang, even though the sentence with it is grammatically correct.
Write to a friend about why you're completely worn out today and what took the most energy.
I'm knackered after spending the whole afternoon moving books into the new room.
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