student asking question

Does the word "shaky" have a negative impression? Could you give some more examples to learn this word?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

That's a great question. The word "shaky" does usually have a negative connotation, but it depends on the context it is used in. The word "shaky" is commonly used metaphorically to show uncertainty in the success of something. Anytime the term "shaky" is used to express doubt or potential failure, it can be negative. Here are some examples: Ex: I haven't been doing very well in school, so my grades are kind of shaky. Ex: Her knowledge of first aid is shaky. The word "shaky" can also be used literally to describe something that is unstable or something that shakes. In these cases, the word "shaky" may also have a negative connotation if it is something that should not be "shaky" originally. Ex: Her hands were shaky - you could tell she was nervous. Ex: We were afraid to walk across the bridge because it was shaky. In the case where the word "shaky" is simply describing something that shakes and it is not unusual or bad for it to be "shaky", it does not have a negative connotation. Ex: The shaky leaf broke off the tree and flew away in the wind.

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