shake the wall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shake the wall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is describing a physical action that involves shaking or vibrating a wall, possibly to test its stability or to create a dramatic effect. Example: "In the horror movie, the ghostly presence was so strong that it seemed to shake the wall, sending chills down everyone's spine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In one, provocatively titled "playing with myself", we see Padgham fling himself around a room, shake the wall and swing a chandelier, all with his index finger, his thumb, a mirror and some clever camera work.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

On some mornings, ten explosions could shake the walls of the houses where they lived, all before 9 a.m.

The New York Times

On any given day, two or three bombs exploded near enough to shake the walls of our house.

The New York Times - Sports

But unlike Joshua, the blare of his trumpets has not been able to shake the walls of the governor's mansion.

The New York Times

In the writing of this essay, a three-hour affair, two rockets and three mortar shells have landed close enough to shake the walls of our house.

The New York Times

Led Zeppelin riffs set his heart racing and the booming chords of Deep Purple are said to shake the walls of his chintzy living room.

The Guardian

This bizarrely versatile band can shake the walls with plain old rock 'n' roll, but it's at its best when playing songs the way you don't remember them, a demented "Glee".

The New York Times - Arts

Yet, as bombs shake the walls and she places a bloodied compress on his head, they are quickly transformed into a time-tested, outwardly reassuring vision of a woman heroically ministering to a wounded, possibly dying man.

The New York Times

Maybe they're also sick of seeing the vibrant, iconoclastic music whose changes did, at least, shake the walls of the city a little, being turned round, sold out, castrated and co-opted.

The Guardian - Music

I will gladly lend you my copy," their roar of applause seemed to shake the walls.

Huffington Post

That allure helped draw a group of audience members onstage to dance around M.I.A. during a version of "Boyz" that seemed to shake the walls of the Belasco.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shake the wall" when you want to convey a sense of sudden, impactful vibration or disturbance, especially when caused by a specific action or event.

Common error

Avoid using "shake the wall" metaphorically in contexts where a more nuanced or specific verb would be appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "the news shook the wall of their relationship", consider "the news strained their relationship" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shake the wall" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes an action where something or someone causes a wall to vibrate or move forcefully. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable in written English. The examples show it used to describe impacts from explosions or music.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shake the wall" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to depict a forceful vibration or impact on a wall. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing. While not extremely common, its presence in various news and media sources underscores its relevance in describing specific physical events. Semantically related phrases like "rattle the wall" or "vibrate the wall" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts, each with slightly different connotations. When writing, prioritize using "shake the wall" when emphasizing a sudden, impactful disturbance, and avoid overuse in abstract contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rattle the wall

Emphasizes a rapid series of light impacts or vibrations, differing from a single, strong shake.

vibrate the wall

Focuses on the continuous oscillation of the wall, suggesting a constant, rather than sudden, movement.

tremble the wall

Indicates a more subtle and potentially fear-inducing vibration, suggesting weakness or instability.

cause the wall to vibrate

A more descriptive and less direct way of saying "shake the wall", adding a level of formality.

make the wall resonate

Suggests a more profound and sustained vibration, often due to a specific frequency.

jar the wall

Implies a sudden, sharp impact that causes a brief disturbance.

impact the wall forcefully

Highlights the strength of the contact against the wall.

destabilize the wall

Shifts the focus to the structural integrity of the wall, suggesting a potential collapse.

hit the wall hard

A simple, direct alternative that stresses the forceful collision with the wall.

make the wall quiver

Similar to tremble, but could imply a more visible and rapid, rhythmic motion.

FAQs

How can I use "shake the wall" in a sentence?

You can use "shake the wall" to describe a physical action that causes a wall to vibrate forcefully. For example, "The explosion was so strong it threatened to shake the wall to pieces."

What can I say instead of "shake the wall"?

You can use alternatives like "rattle the wall", "vibrate the wall", or "make the wall resonate" depending on the specific type of movement or impact you want to describe.

Which is correct, "shake the wall" or "shaking the wall"?

"Shake the wall" is generally used as a verb phrase, while "shaking the wall" would be part of a continuous action or gerund phrase. For example, "The music will shake the wall" versus "The construction crew is shaking the wall with their equipment."

What's the difference between "shake the wall" and "shake the foundation"?

"Shake the wall" refers to a localized vibration or impact on a wall, while "shake the foundation" implies a more significant, destabilizing event affecting the entire structure or system. The latter is often used metaphorically.