Is 'shaking' a verb or a noun?

It can be both. As a present participle, it functions as a verb ('He is shaking'). It can also be a gerund (noun) ('The shaking was intense') or an adjective ('shaking hands').

What's the difference between 'shaking', 'trembling', and 'shivering'?

'Shaking' is the broadest term. 'Trembling' often implies finer, quicker movements, usually from emotion or weakness. 'Shivering' is specifically from cold or fear.

Can 'shaking' describe an object's sound?

Indirectly. You describe the object as shaking, which produces a sound (e.g., 'the shaking engine made a rattling noise'). 'Shaking' itself is not an onomatopoeia for a sound.

How do I use 'shaking' in a continuous tense?

Use it with the verb 'to be' + 'shaking'. Example: Present Continuous - 'I am shaking'. Past Continuous - 'She was shaking'. It shows the action is in progress.

shaking

UK/ˈʃeɪkɪŋ/US/ˈʃeɪkɪŋ/

Neutral to Informal

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

Moving quickly and repeatedly back and forth or up and down with small, often involuntary movements.

Can describe an unstable, unsteady, or weakened state (e.g., "a shaking economy"); also used metaphorically to describe strong emotional disturbance or fundamental instability.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Often implies a lack of control. As a noun, it refers to the act or instance of shaking. As an adjective, it describes something that is shaking or the quality of causing a shake.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Minimal. Spelling and usage are consistent. The verb form 'shake' is used identically.

Connotations

Identical in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally common in both dialects.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

violentlyuncontrollablyfeverishlynervouslyphysically

medium

handsvoicegroundkneesfoundations

weak

slightlyvisiblystilllittle

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[sb] is shaking with cold/fear/anger[sth] is shaking from the impact/explosionto stop shakingthe shaking of [sth] (e.g., the building)

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

convulsingjuddering (UK more common)shuddering

Neutral

tremblingquiveringvibrating

Weak

shiveringwaveringwobbling

Vocabulary

Antonyms

steadystillstablemotionlesscalm

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“Shaking in one's boots/shoes”
“Shake things up (related verb)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rarely used literally. Metaphorical: 'shaking markets', 'shaking investor confidence'.

Academic

Used in geology/engineering ('seismic shaking'), medicine ('essential tremor'), or social sciences ('shaking the foundations of a theory').

Everyday

Very common for physical states (cold, fear, laughter) and literal descriptions (earthquake, old car).

Technical

Specific to fields like structural engineering (describing resonance) or food science (emulsion stability).

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

His voice was shaking as he gave the speech.
She was shaking the duvet out of the window.

American English

His voice was shaking as he gave the speech.
She was shaking the comforter out the window.

adverb

British English

(No standard adverbial form. 'Shakingly' is obsolete/rare.)

American English

(No standard adverbial form. 'Shakingly' is obsolete/rare.)

adjective

British English

He held out a shaking hand.
We felt a shaking sensation during the tremor.

American English

He held out a shaking hand.
We felt a shaking sensation during the tremor.

Examples

By CEFR Level

I am shaking because I am cold.
Stop shaking the table, please.

Her hands were shaking with nervousness before the interview.
The earthquake caused a lot of shaking.

The scandal is shaking the very foundations of the government.
He stood up, his legs still shaking from the effort.

The latest economic data has sent shaking ripples through the financial markets.
His testimony was delivered in a calm, steady voice, belying his inwardly shaking composure.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a SHAKE being served in a KING's court; the king's hand is SHAKING as he lifts the drink.

Conceptual Metaphor

EMOTION IS PHYSICAL AGITATION (e.g., shaking with rage), INSTABILITY IS UNCONTROLLED MOVEMENT (e.g., a shaking alliance).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Do not confuse with 'встряхивание' (a single, deliberate act of shaking). 'Shaking' implies a sustained or repeated action. For the physical state, 'тряска' or 'дрожь' are closer.
The adjective 'shaking' (e.g., 'shaking hands') is often expressed with a participle in Russian ('дрожащие руки').

Common Mistakes

Using 'shaking' as the base verb (incorrect: 'I shaking the bottle' correct: 'I *am shaking*' or 'I shake').
Confusing 'shaking' (process) with 'shake' (single instance or base verb).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After the intense workout, my muscles were uncontrollably.

Multiple Choice

In which context is 'shaking' used metaphorically?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: It can be both. As a present participle, it functions as a verb ('He is shaking'). It can also be a gerund (noun) ('The shaking was intense') or an adjective ('shaking hands').
: 'Shaking' is the broadest term. 'Trembling' often implies finer, quicker movements, usually from emotion or weakness. 'Shivering' is specifically from cold or fear.
: Indirectly. You describe the object as shaking, which produces a sound (e.g., 'the shaking engine made a rattling noise'). 'Shaking' itself is not an onomatopoeia for a sound.
: Use it with the verb 'to be' + 'shaking'. Example: Present Continuous - 'I am shaking'. Past Continuous - 'She was shaking'. It shows the action is in progress.