What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shaking
Example
The earthquake caused the ground to shake violently. [shake: verb]
Example
She was shaking with fear after watching the horror movie. [shaking: gerund or present participle]
vibration
Example
The sound of the music created a vibration in the floor. [vibration: noun]
Example
The phone vibrated in her pocket, indicating a new message. [vibrate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vibration is more commonly used than shaking in technical or scientific contexts. Shaking is more commonly used in everyday language to describe physical reactions or violent movements.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shaking and vibration?
Vibration is generally considered more formal than shaking. It is often used in technical or scientific contexts, while shaking is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
