proceeded to shake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proceeded to shake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone starting to shake something or someone in a sequential manner, often following a previous action. Example: "After the meeting concluded, she proceeded to shake hands with each participant to express her gratitude."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The guards proceeded to shake them down.

The New York Times - Magazine

Straight-backed and chic in a deceptively simple green wool skirt and black pumps, she proceeded to shake hands with everyone, including the taxi driver.

The New York Times

Mr. Gillani, wearing a dark blue business suit, proceeded to shake hands with a teary-eyed Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, 19, Mrs. Bhutto's son, who is the other chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, with his father.

The New York Times

After a while, a shaky Gascoigne got to his feet with his trademark grin and, as if to repay the opposition's concern, proceeded to shake every Genoa player's hand before leaving the field for treatment.' The one where Gazza takes his mates out on Spurs..

The Guardian - Sport

According to Miller, he then proceeded to shake hands, kissed the bride's hand and wished the pair congratulations ― even offering up a few wedding services of his own.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But Mr. Clooney and the director, Alexander Payne (working from a script Mr. Payne adapted, with Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, from Kaui Hart Hemmings's novel), proceed to shake up our expectations all the same.

The New York Times

Descending, apparently at random, on the moribund City firm of Twigg & Dersingham, he proceeds to shake up the business to devastating effect: swindling its vague and ineffectual owner, Mr Dersingham, wreaking havoc in the heart of Miss Matfield, its genteel secretary-typist, and ruining the prospects of Turgis, its pimply clerk, who makes the mistake of falling for Golspie's daughter.

The Guardian - Books

Mr Ng nods and produces several coins, which he proceeds to shake.

BBC

In another scene, Lopez wears a silver crystal and lace skin-tight catsuit, designed by Lebanese fashion designer Zuhair Murad, as she dances against a "gold cardio barre" before proceeding to shake her "money maker," according to the Los Angeles Times.

Wikipedia

He then proceeded – briefly – to shake the country alive.

The Guardian - Sport

I proceeded to -- very irritably -- sigh, shake my head and press back at those pressing forward When I was finally done I got on the coffee line, where I anxiously struggled to pry my credit card from my tight wallet pocket, elbowing the people behind me I then clumsily maneuvered my way around the massive crowd at my gate, tripping over toes and glaring at anyone who got in my way.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear what is being shaken. The object or person being shaken should be readily apparent from the surrounding sentences.

Common error

Avoid using "proceeded to shake" in simple narratives where a more direct verb would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound stilted. For instance, instead of "He proceeded to shake the bottle", simply write "He shook the bottle."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceeded to shake" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action that follows another. It emphasizes the sequential nature of the actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "proceeded to shake" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate that the action of shaking followed a previous action. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in English. While not extremely common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news media and general writing. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding what is being shaken and avoid overuse in favor of more direct verbs when appropriate. Alternatives like "went on to shake" or "began to shake" offer subtle differences in emphasis. Ensure the context is appropriate for the intended level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went on to stir

Replaces "shake" with "stir", implying a different action while keeping the sequential aspect.

continued to agitate

Uses "agitate" instead of "shake", suggesting a more forceful and possibly disruptive action.

then started to vibrate

Replaces "shake" with "vibrate", implying a rapid oscillation.

subsequently started to tremble

Swaps "shake" for "tremble", implying an involuntary shaking usually due to nervousness or weakness.

began to quiver

Substitutes "shake" with "quiver", suggesting a trembling or shaking movement, often due to fear or cold.

moved on to rattle

Uses "rattle" instead of "shake", implying a series of short, sharp sounds.

thereafter commenced jiggling

Replaces the terms with a more emphatic and descriptive action.

proceeded to give a jolt

Changes the verb to "jolt", implying a sudden, sharp movement.

went ahead and rocked

Replaces "shake" with "rocked", suggesting a gentle back-and-forth movement.

then initiated a shimmy

Uses "shimmy" instead of "shake", suggesting a specific type of dance movement.

FAQs

How can I use "proceeded to shake" in a sentence?

Use "proceeded to shake" to describe a sequential action where shaking follows another action. For example, "After the announcement, he "proceeded to shake" hands with the team members".

What are some alternatives to "proceeded to shake"?

Alternatives include "went on to shake", "began to shake", or "continued to shake", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different emphasis on the action and its sequence.

Is "proceeded to shake" formal or informal?

"Proceeded to shake" is relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very informal settings, simpler alternatives like "started shaking" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "proceeded to shake" and "began to shake"?

"Proceeded to shake" implies a sequence of events, where the shaking follows a previous action. "Began to shake" simply indicates the start of the shaking action, without necessarily implying a prior event. Depending on the intended emphasis, both can be correct, but they communicate slightly different meanings.