What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wiggle
Example
The baby loves to wiggle her toes. [wiggle: verb]
Example
He gave me a sly grin and wiggled his eyebrows. [wiggled: past tense]
shake
Example
She shook the bottle vigorously to mix the contents. [shook: past tense]
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 wiggle in everyday language. Shake has a wider range of meanings and can be used in various contexts, while wiggle is less common and often used in playful or teasing situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between wiggle and shake?
Both wiggle and shake are informal words, but shake can be used in more formal contexts, such as in scientific or technical writing, where it may refer to a specific type of movement or process.
