begin to tremble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin to tremble" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the onset of shaking or quivering, often due to fear, anxiety, or cold. Example: "As the thunderstorm approached, I could feel my hands begin to tremble with fear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

My jaw clenches tight and my hands begin to tremble.

The New Yorker

He knows it's gone, O where! and begin to tremble and cry.

The New York Times - Books

I begin to tremble, and I can't tell whether it's from nerves or low battery.

The New Yorker

A male, also in black, swivels to watch her; his features, made of yellow toilet paper rolls, begin to tremble.

The New York Times

"And suddenly I saw her lips begin to tremble and tears begin to flow down her cheeks.

The New York Times

But if a thunderstorm rolled in halfway through our meal and Salty did what he normally did – dive under the couch and begin to tremble – then with his severely weakened heart, wildly accelerated pulse and neither of us nearby to supply comfort, there was a pretty good chance that he'd be dead by the time we got back.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He begins to tremble, his eyes blinking.

The New Yorker

"I actually began to tremble.

The New York Times - Arts

Greece teeters, Italy wobbles and France begins to tremble.

The New York Times

The hand that held the letters began to tremble.

The New Yorker

The rest of the prisoners began to tremble.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin to tremble" to vividly depict a character's emotional or physical response to a situation, such as fear, cold, or excitement. It adds a layer of nuance compared to simply saying someone is "shaking".

Common error

Avoid using "begin to tremble" excessively in descriptive passages. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing feel repetitive and melodramatic. Vary your descriptions by focusing on other physical manifestations of emotion or use stronger verbs such as "shuddered" or "quivered".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin to tremble" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of involuntary shaking or quivering. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and used to vividly describe emotional or physical reactions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin to tremble" is a versatile verb phrase used to depict the onset of shaking or quivering. As verified by Ludwig, it’s grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media, as well as in wiki contexts. While alternatives like "start to shake" and "begin to quiver" exist, "begin to tremble" effectively conveys a sense of vulnerability or emotional intensity. To avoid overuse, remember to vary descriptions and not rely on this phrase too much. This phrase is fitting for neutral registers and its communicative goal is to express a physical or emotional shift.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start to shake

Focuses on the physical action of shaking, less specific about the cause.

begin to quiver

Implies a more subtle and rapid shaking motion.

start to shiver

Suggests trembling specifically due to cold or fear.

commence to shake

More formal way of saying "start to shake".

begin to palpitate

Refers to the heart starting to beat rapidly or irregularly, often due to anxiety.

start to vibrate

Suggests a rapid oscillation or trembling movement.

begin to convulse

Indicates a more violent and involuntary shaking or spasm.

start to wobble

Implies an unsteady trembling movement.

begin to flutter

Suggests a light, tremulous movement, often associated with delicate body parts like eyelids.

start to quake

Emphasizes a more forceful and extensive trembling or shaking.

FAQs

How can I use "begin to tremble" in a sentence?

You can use "begin to tremble" to describe the onset of shaking or quivering, often due to fear, anxiety, or cold. For example: "As the thunderstorm approached, I could feel my hands "begin to tremble" with fear."

What can I say instead of "begin to tremble"?

You can use alternatives like "start to shake", "begin to quiver", or "start to shiver" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "begin to tremble" or "began to tremble"?

"Begin to tremble" is used in the present tense to describe a current or habitual action, while "began to tremble" is the past tense form, indicating that the trembling started at a specific time in the past.

What's the difference between "begin to tremble" and "start to tremble"?

The phrases ""begin to tremble"" and "start to tremble" are largely interchangeable. "Begin" might suggest a slightly more gradual or formal onset than "start", but the difference is minimal.