What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
quaver
Example
Her voice quavered as she spoke about her fears. [quaver: verb]
Example
The singer added a quaver to the end of the note for emphasis. [quaver: noun]
Example
The puppy's legs began to quaver as it faced the big dog. [quaver: verb]
shake
Example
She shook the bottle to mix the ingredients. [shake: verb]
Example
He was so cold that he couldn't stop shaking. [shaking: gerund or present participle]
Example
The earthquake shook the entire city. [shake: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shake is more commonly used than quaver in everyday language. Shake is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while quaver is less common and is mainly used in music or to describe a specific type of vocal effect.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between quaver and shake?
While quaver is typically associated with a formal or technical tone due to its use in music, shake is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
