What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shaking
Example
I was shaking with fear when I saw the spider. [shaking: verb]
Example
The earthquake caused the ground to shake violently. [shake: verb]
Example
She was shaking her head in disbelief. [shaking: gerund or present participle]
trembling
Example
Her voice was trembling as she spoke in front of the audience. [trembling: verb]
Example
I felt a trembling in my hands after the intense workout. [trembling: noun]
Example
The old man was trembling from the cold. [trembling: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shaking is more commonly used than trembling in everyday language. Shaking is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while trembling is less common and often used in the context of fear or cold.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between shaking and trembling?
Both shaking and trembling are neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
