What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stir
Example
Can you stir the soup while I chop the vegetables? [stir: verb]
Example
She gave the batter a good stir before pouring it into the pan. [stir: noun]
shake
Example
He shook the bottle of ketchup to get the last bit out. [shake: verb]
Example
The earthquake caused the ground to shake violently. [shake: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shake is more commonly used than stir in everyday language. Shake is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stir is more specific to cooking and mixing substances.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stir and shake?
Both stir and shake can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but stir may be slightly more formal due to its association with cooking and culinary arts.
