a shaky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shaky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is unstable, uncertain, or lacking in confidence. Example: "After the earthquake, the building had a shaky foundation that needed immediate repair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Shaky Start.

The New York Times - Science

Yemen is a shaky state.

The New York Times

But he subsists on a shaky network.

The New York Times

Minnesota hung on despite a shaky finish.

Independent

Still a shaky line back there.

The New York Times

IT ALWAYS felt like a shaky defence.

The Economist

It is a shaky start.

The Guardian

Millwood had a shaky start.

The New York Times - Sports

But it's a shaky foundation.

The Guardian

It makes for a shaky time".

The Guardian

Their record is a shaky 6-6.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a shaky" to describe situations, foundations, or relationships that are unstable or unreliable, emphasizing a lack of security or firmness.

Common error

While "a shaky" is widely understood, consider substituting it with more formal alternatives like "unstable" or "precarious" in academic or professional writing to maintain a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shaky" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its instability or unreliability. It adds a layer of uncertainty to the noun it modifies, as seen in Ludwig's examples like "a shaky start" or "a shaky foundation".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sports

19%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a shaky" is a common and versatile way to describe something unstable, unreliable, or lacking confidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. While it appears most frequently in news and media, as well as sports contexts, its neutrality makes it suitable for various situations. However, for formal writing, consider using stronger synonyms such as "an unstable" or "a precarious". Remember to use "a shaky" to effectively communicate a sense of uncertainty or risk.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unstable

Focuses on the lack of stability or firmness.

a precarious

Highlights the risk and uncertainty involved.

a wobbly

Emphasizes physical unsteadiness or lack of balance.

an insecure

Points to a lack of confidence or reliability.

a fragile

Suggests vulnerability and susceptibility to damage or failure.

a tenuous

Implies a weak or uncertain connection or hold.

a dicey

Informal term suggesting risk and uncertainty.

a flimsy

Emphasizes the lack of substance or strength.

a questionable

Highlights doubts about the validity or reliability.

a vulnerable

Focuses on susceptibility to harm or attack.

FAQs

What does "a shaky" mean?

"A shaky" generally means unstable, unreliable, or lacking firmness. It can describe physical instability or a lack of confidence.

How can I use "a shaky" in a sentence?

You can use "a shaky" to describe a variety of things, such as "a shaky start", "a shaky foundation", or "a shaky alliance". The key is that it implies a lack of stability.

What can I say instead of "a shaky"?

You can use alternatives like "an unstable", "a precarious", or "a wobbly" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a shaky"?

It's appropriate to use "a shaky" in most contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from synonyms like "unstable" or "tenuous".