What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tremor
Example
The patient's hand had a tremor due to Parkinson's disease. [tremor: noun]
Example
The earthquake caused a tremor in the ground. [tremor: noun]
Example
She felt a tremor of fear as she walked through the dark alley. [tremor: noun]
trembling
Example
She was trembling with cold after being outside for hours. [trembling: verb]
Example
He was trembling with fear when he saw the spider. [trembling: verb]
Example
She felt a trembling excitement as she waited for her favorite band to come on stage. [trembling: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Trembling is more commonly used than tremor in everyday language. Trembling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tremor is less common and has a more specific medical connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tremor and trembling?
Both tremor and trembling can be used in formal and informal contexts, but tremor may be more commonly used in medical or technical settings, while trembling may be more commonly used in everyday conversation.
