What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wobbling
Example
The table was wobbling because one of its legs was shorter than the others. [wobbling: verb]
Example
She tried to stand up, but her knees were wobbling. [wobbling: gerund or present participle]
shaking
Example
The earthquake was so strong that it shook the entire building. [shook: past tense]
Example
He was shaking with fear when he saw the spider. [shaking: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shaking is more commonly used than wobbling in everyday language. Shaking is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wobbling is less common and refers to a specific type of movement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wobbling and shaking?
While wobbling is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, shaking can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.