have shivers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have shivers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a physical reaction to fear, cold, or excitement. Example: "As she walked through the haunted house, she couldn't help but have shivers run down her spine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I would have shivers down my spine.

The New York Times

"I have shivers down to my toes," she said.

The New York Times - Food

Rub your arms up and down as though you have shivers, which should prompt him to either wrap his arms around you or offer you his jacket, if he's wearing one.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Dr Johnson would have shivered.

The Guardian - Books

Neanderthals may simply have shivered and choked to death.

The Guardian

Bowie generally treated reverence with contempt, too: he'd probably have shivered at the idea of a night like tonight.

The Guardian - Music

Julius Caesar may have shivered with fever on his imperial couch in Rome, but malaria in the surrounding regions helped protect his empire from intruders.

The New York Times - Health

Many Americans seeking second homes along the Atlantic have shivered at the thought of Nova Scotia as too far and too cold.

The New York Times - Travel

Generations of cultural beginners have shivered at the prophecy of the critic Cyril Connolly, published in 1938, that "whom the gods wish to destroy they first call promising".

The Guardian

Their fans have shivered through frigid June evenings and wept over October heartbreak, those soul-crushing years of 1962 and 1989 and 2002, watching as seemingly everyone else has sipped celebratory Champagne.

The New York Times - Sports

Against all odds, though, the best is yet to come: an ending of overwhelming simplicity and force, in which the hopes of the film — as opposed to its fears, which have shivered throughout — come gently to rest.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have shivers" to describe a brief, involuntary physical response to cold, fear, or excitement. It's best suited for informal writing or conversational contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "have shivers" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and descriptive language such as "experience chills" or "feel a sudden onset of cold" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have shivers" functions as a verbal phrase where "have" acts as the main verb and "shivers" functions as the direct object. It describes the experience of feeling shivers due to cold, fear, or excitement. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have shivers" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English used to convey the sensation of feeling shivers due to cold, fear, or excitement. Ludwig indicates that while grammatically correct, it is more suitable for informal contexts and may need to be replaced with more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the expression is best used to express a physical and emotional state in a relatable way. Consider using alternatives like "feel chills" or "get goosebumps" to enhance clarity and maintain formality when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel chills

Replaces "shivers" with "chills", focusing on the sensation of coldness or fear.

experience a shiver down my spine

More descriptive and specific, emphasizing the location of the shiver.

get goosebumps

Emphasizes the physical manifestation of the sensation on the skin.

experience gooseflesh

A more formal way to describe getting goosebumps.

have a shudder

Implies a more intense, involuntary physical reaction.

feel a thrill

Shifts the focus to a feeling of excitement or pleasure, which can also cause a similar physical reaction.

feel a tingling sensation

Focuses on a prickling or stinging feeling, often associated with excitement or fear.

feel a creeping sensation

Implies a slow, unsettling feeling spreading across the body.

feel a rush of adrenaline

Highlights the physiological response to fear or excitement, which can include shivering.

feel cold all over

Describes a general sensation of coldness.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "have shivers"?

The phrase "have shivers" is suitable for informal contexts when describing a physical reaction to cold, fear, or excitement. In more formal settings, consider alternatives like "feel chills" or "experience goosebumps".

Are there any alternative ways to express the same meaning as "have shivers"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "feel chills", "get goosebumps", or "experience a shiver down my spine".

Is "have shivers" grammatically correct?

Yes, "have shivers" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-object structure in English.

What's the difference between "have shivers" and "feel a shiver"?

"Have shivers" implies a general experience of shivering, while "feel a shiver" suggests a more specific, singular instance of a shiver. The choice depends on whether you're describing a recurring sensation or a single event.