What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
quivered
Example
The leaves quivered in the wind. [quivered: verb]
Example
She quivered with fear as she approached the haunted house. [quivered: past tense]
Example
His voice quivered as he spoke about his traumatic experience. [quivered: past participle]
tremble
Example
I trembled with cold as I waited for the bus. [trembled: past tense]
Example
Her voice trembled with anger as she confronted her boss. [trembled: past tense]
Example
The ground trembled as the earthquake struck. [trembled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tremble is more commonly used than quivered in everyday language. Tremble is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while quivered is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between quivered and tremble?
Quivered is typically associated with a more formal or literary tone, while tremble is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.