to shuffle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to shuffle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe the action of mixing or rearranging items, such as cards or data. Example: "Before the game starts, make sure to shuffle the deck of cards thoroughly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They try to shuffle away from me.

The New York Times

Thousands of résumés to shuffle through.

The New York Times

The crowd begins to shuffle and buzz.

The Guardian - Opinion

People around me started to shuffle and shift.

Independent

Step lengthened to dodder, dodder to shuffle, shuffle to stride".

The New York Times - Books

There were many elements to shuffle: history, characters, environments.

The New Yorker

"Stride shortened to shuffle, shuffle to dodder, dodder to step..

The New York Times - Books

It won't be easy to shuffle Jeter to another position.

The New York Times - Sports

We can't continue to shuffle children through school.

The Washington Post

There are no tapes or disks to shuffle.

The New York Times - Science

I am able to shuffle through my records faster.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the act of randomizing items like cards or songs, use "to shuffle" to convey a sense of chance and unpredictability.

Common error

Avoid using "to shuffle" when you mean a structured or deliberate rearrangement. "To shuffle" implies randomness, so use alternatives like "to organize" or "to arrange" when precision is intended.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to shuffle" primarily functions as a verb, indicating an action. It describes the act of mixing things randomly or moving with a dragging motion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the infinitive phrase "to shuffle" is a versatile and commonly used expression that describes both random rearrangement and a particular style of movement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct. Examples show its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using "to shuffle", ensure that the context aligns with its connotation of randomness or a dragging motion. For more structured rearrangements, consider alternatives like "to rearrange" or "to reorganize".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to rearrange

Emphasizes a change in the arrangement or order of items.

to reorder

Stresses the act of changing the order of items.

to reorganize

Suggests a more structured and deliberate rearrangement.

to mix up

Implies a less organized and more random rearrangement.

to shift around

Indicates a slight change in position or arrangement.

to jumble

Indicates a chaotic and disordered mixing.

to intermix

Highlights the blending or combining of different elements.

to redistribute

Focuses on changing the distribution or allocation of something.

to transpose

Refers to swapping the positions of items.

to interchange

Implies swapping places or roles between two or more things.

FAQs

How can I use "to shuffle" in a sentence?

You can use "to shuffle" to describe randomizing items, like in "I need "to shuffle the cards" before we play" or to describe a dragging movement, as in "He began "to shuffle his feet" nervously".

What is a good alternative to "to shuffle" when referring to rearranging items?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "to rearrange", "to reorganize", or "to mix up". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "to shuffle"?

It's inappropriate when describing a precise or structured arrangement. "To shuffle" implies randomness, so it wouldn't fit if you're talking about carefully organizing something.

What's the difference between "to shuffle" and "to reorder"?

"To shuffle" implies a random rearrangement, whereas "to reorder" simply means to change the existing order, which may or may not be random. For example, "to reorder a list" alphabetically is not the same as "to shuffle" it.