What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shiver
Example
I couldn't stop shivering in the freezing cold. [shivering: gerund or present participle]
Example
The news of the accident made me shiver with fear. [shiver: verb]
shudder
Example
The thought of spiders makes me shudder. [shudder: verb]
Example
She felt a shudder run through her body as she entered the dark room. [shudder: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shiver is more commonly used than shudder in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and is more versatile.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shiver and shudder?
Both shiver and shudder are informal words, but shudder is more associated with a dramatic or literary tone, making it more suitable for formal writing or speech.
