as they shook

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they shook" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action occurring simultaneously with another action, often in a narrative context. Example: "As they shook hands, a sense of mutual respect filled the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

As they shook, photographers clicked and snapped.

The New York Times - Sports

He offered prolonged commiserations as they shook hands.

The Guardian - Sport

"Great job, you deserve it," Djokovic said to Murray as they shook hands.

The New York Times

"I hope you like our fans and community support," Fallin told Fisher as they shook hands.

The New York Times - Sports

As they shook hands, Reagan pulled Korda into position for a Polaroid.

The New Yorker

Pope Francis gave Obama a restrained smile as they shook hands.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

As long as they shake the salt off their shoes".

The New York Times

At times, it looks like the pieces fall into place as they shake the puzzle vigorously.

The Guardian - Tech

As they shake their heads no, she says, "Neither do I".

The New York Times

Afterward, as they shake hands, the opponent, a Southern governor played by James Brolin, tells the president: "It's over".

The New York Times

The gun sounds as soon as they shake your hand after the viva – and you're off.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they shook" to clearly indicate actions happening simultaneously, particularly in narrative writing to create a vivid scene.

Common error

Ensure that the tense of the verb following "as they shook" aligns with the past tense established by "shook" to maintain grammatical consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they shook" functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting two clauses to indicate simultaneous actions. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage in narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as they shook" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate simultaneous actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and frequently found in news and media contexts. The phrase effectively connects two events, enhancing narrative flow and creating a sense of immediacy. While alternatives exist, such as "while they were shaking" or "when they shook", the choice depends on the specific nuance the writer wishes to convey. Employ it confidently in both formal and informal writing to depict concurrent actions vividly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while they were shaking

Emphasizes the duration of the shaking action occurring concurrently.

during their shaking

Focuses on the period of the shaking action.

upon shaking

Highlights the immediate action that follows the shaking.

when they shook

Highlights a specific point in time when the shaking occurred.

as they were trembling

Replaces "shook" with a synonym to describe a similar action.

in the act of shaking

Emphasizes the process of the shaking action.

while in the midst of shaking

Highlights the ongoing nature of the shaking action.

at the moment they shook

Focuses on a precise instant when the shaking happened.

during the time they shook

Highlights a certain duration of the shaking event.

as they vibrated

Replaces "shook" with a synonym to describe a similar movement.

FAQs

How can I use "as they shook" in a sentence?

You can use "as they shook" to describe actions happening at the same time. For example, "As they shook hands, a photographer captured the moment."

What are some alternatives to "as they shook"?

Alternatives include phrases like "while they were shaking", "during their shaking", or "when they shook", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "as they shook" and "when they shook"?

"As they shook" emphasizes the simultaneous nature of two actions, while "when they shook" focuses more on the timing of an event. For example, "As they shook hands, the crowd cheered" implies the cheering happened during the handshake, whereas "When they shook hands, the deal was sealed" suggests the handshake marked the moment of agreement.

Can I use "as they shook" in formal writing?

Yes, "as they shook" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, as it is a grammatically correct and widely understood phrase. Its suitability depends more on the overall tone and style of your writing.