What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wag
Example
The dog wagged its tail happily when it saw its owner. [wagged: past tense]
Example
She wagged her finger at the child, scolding him for misbehaving. [wagged: verb]
shake
Example
He shook his head in disbelief when he heard the news. [shook: past tense]
Example
She was shaking with fear after watching the horror movie. [shaking: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shake is more commonly used than wag in everyday language. Shake is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wag is less common and refers to a specific type of movement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wag and shake?
Both wag and shake are informal words, but shake can be used in more formal contexts, such as business or academic writing, while wag is more casual and playful.
