shook with

USAGE SUMMARY

'shook with' is a correct and usable idiom in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is trembling with a strong emotion, such as fear or anger. For example, "The small child was so scared that she was shaking with fear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He nearly shook with anger.

The New York Times

His hand shook with rage.

The New Yorker

Bergoglio shook with emotion.

The Guardian

Nott shook with fear.

The New Yorker

She shook with anger.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I shook with sobs".

The New York Times - Books

His arms and legs shook with fear.

The New York Times

The whole buildin shook with them screamin".

The New Yorker

I shook with desperate fear.

The Guardian - Opinion

His shoulders shook with sobs.

The New Yorker

The underbrush shook with the chase.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shook with" to vividly describe a character's physical manifestation of a strong emotion, such as fear, anger, or excitement. This adds depth and immediacy to your writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessively using "shook with" in passive constructions can weaken your prose. Instead of "He was shook with fear", consider "Fear shook him" for a more impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shook with" functions primarily as a verb phrase, specifically describing the physical manifestation of a strong emotion or sensation. Ludwig AI examples show it connecting a subject with the physical act of trembling due to an internal state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shook with" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the physical manifestation of strong emotions, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it effectively conveys the intensity of feelings like fear, anger, or excitement. While versatile, mindful use and consideration of alternatives like "trembled with" can enhance writing precision. Avoid overuse in passive constructions for a more impactful writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trembled with

Replaces "shook" with a synonym emphasizing involuntary movement due to emotion or cold.

quivered with

Implies a more delicate or subtle trembling than "shook".

vibrated with

Suggests a rapid, oscillating movement, often used for physical reactions.

reverberated with

Indicates a strong echoing or resonating effect, suitable for both physical and emotional intensity.

palpitated with

Focuses on rapid beating or throbbing, typically associated with the heart or strong emotion.

convulsed with

Implies a sudden, violent shaking, often due to extreme emotion or illness.

rocked with

Suggests a gentler, back-and-forth movement, but can also imply emotional impact.

writhed with

Conveys a twisting, contorted movement, often due to pain or intense emotion.

was overcome by

Shifts the focus to being overwhelmed by an emotion, rather than a physical reaction.

was consumed by

Indicates a complete absorption in an emotion, losing physical control.

FAQs

How can I use "shook with" in a sentence?

You can use "shook with" to describe someone trembling due to a strong emotion. For instance, "She "shook with" anger when she heard the news."

What are some alternatives to "shook with"?

Alternatives include phrases like "trembled with", "quivered with", or "was overcome by", depending on the specific emotion and context.

Is it correct to say "shaken with" instead of "shook with"?

While "shaken with" might sound similar, ""shook with"" is the more common and idiomatic way to express trembling due to emotion. "Shaken with" typically implies a more forceful physical disturbance.

What's the difference between "shook with fear" and "shook with excitement"?

Both phrases use the same structure, but the context changes the meaning. "Shook with fear" indicates trembling due to terror, while ""shook with" excitement" means trembling because of intense joy or anticipation.