wiggle back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

'wiggle back and forth' is a valid phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe either a physical action or metaphorical action. For example, "The cat's tail wiggled back and forth, signaling its playful mood."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science & Research

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Physicists fire high-energy electrons through a train of magnets called undulators, which make the electrons wiggle back and forth and radiate x-rays.

Science Magazine

The noise a randomly fluctuating electric field transfers energy to the ion, causing it to wiggle back and forth inside the trap and move toward the broad end of the funnel, making the engine's power stroke.

Science Magazine

You want to tighten the nut just enough so that the wheel has a little "play," meaning it can wiggle back and forth a small amount.

WikiHow

It can even be a noogie (knuckles to the top of the head and press down slightly into head and wiggle back and forth).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As he spoke, he filleted the sardines, sliding his knife between the flesh and skeleton and using a wiggling, back-and-forth maneuver to remove the meat from the bones.

The New York Times

He noticed that her ears wiggled back and forth and she was gliding beneath him.

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes, simply wiggling back and forth will get you through and you can practice your skills on any park you've already unlocked.

The Guardian - Tech

She (they are all females) wiggles back and forth and depending on the duration of the dance and the range of its swing conveys the geometric relationship between hive, sun and source.

Huffington Post

Remainder of hanger ends can be wiggled back and forth with pliers until they snap off, or they can be shaped into a hook for hanging wreath on wall.

WikiHow

Before you place the roses in the arrangement, or after if you forgot, remove the one or two outer "ugly" petals by grabbing it in the center between your thumb and forefinger and wiggling back and forth from side to side to remove it from its base.

WikiHow

Place each stone on the sand, then wiggle it back and forth to seat it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wiggle back and forth" to describe small, often quick movements, especially when precision isn't critical. It's ideal for informal contexts or when conveying a sense of playful or inexact motion.

Common error

Avoid using "wiggle back and forth" in formal or scientific writing where more precise verbs like 'oscillate' or 'reciprocate' would be more appropriate. The phrase can sound too casual for serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wiggle back and forth" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, describing a repetitive, side-to-side movement. It often modifies a noun, indicating how something moves, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

37%

News & Media

31%

Science & Research

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wiggle back and forth" is a phrasal verb used to describe a small, repetitive movement in alternating directions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "oscillate" or "reciprocate". Examples show it used across news, science, and how-to guides, indicating broad applicability. Remember to use it to describe general and playful movements. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, the phrase adds detail and imagery, making it a valuable addition to your descriptive vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move to and fro

Emphasizes the back-and-forth motion in a more formal way.

oscillate

Focuses on a rhythmic movement between two points.

rock

Implies a gentle, soothing back-and-forth motion.

sway

Indicates a slow, often uncontrolled, back-and-forth movement.

seesaw

Suggests a balanced, alternating movement, often up and down.

vibrate

Describes a rapid, small-scale movement.

shuttle

Implies a regular back-and-forth motion, like a vehicle on a set route.

yo-yo

Suggests a repetitive up-and-down movement, similar to the toy.

wag

Typically used for tails or fingers, suggesting a quick, repetitive movement.

shimmy

Implies a rapid shaking or wobbling movement.

FAQs

What does "wiggle back and forth" mean?

The phrase "wiggle back and forth" describes a small, rapid, and often irregular movement in alternating directions.

What are some synonyms for "wiggle back and forth"?

Synonyms include "oscillate", "move to and fro", or "seesaw", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "wiggle back and forth" in a sentence?

You might say, "The child's loose tooth wiggled back and forth" or "The dancer wiggled her hips back and forth to the music".

When is it inappropriate to use "wiggle back and forth"?

Avoid using "wiggle back and forth" in formal or technical writing where more precise language is expected. Terms like "oscillate" or "reciprocate" are better suited for those contexts.