Shook vs. Shake — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 25, 2024
"Shook" is the simple past tense of "shake," indicating a completed action, whereas "shake" refers to either the present or the base form, used for ongoing or repeated actions.
Difference Between Shook and Shake
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Key Differences
"Shook" is used to describe an action that has already occurred, highlighting its use in past narratives, while "shake" is applicable in present or future contexts, indicating ongoing or potential movements.
In literature, "shook" effectively sets a scene in the past, providing a temporal anchor, whereas "shake" keeps the action current, actively engaging the reader in the moment.
"Shook" often conveys a sense of completion, suggesting that the action has been fully realized and is now over, on the other hand, "shake" can suggest continuity or repetition, as in habits or persistent states.
When considering grammar, "shook" serves as the past form in sentences like "He shook the bottle," while "shake" appears in forms like "He shakes the bottle" or "He will shake the bottle," demonstrating its versatility across tenses.
Usage of "shook" and "shake" also differs in idiomatic expressions; "shook up" means being disturbed or upset, whereas "shake off" implies actively getting rid of something, such as an illness or a bad habit.
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Comparison Chart
Tense
Past
Present, Future, Base Form
Usage in Sentence
"She shook the box."
"She shakes the box."
Narrative Time
Indicates completed action
Indicates ongoing or potential action
Common Phrases
"shook up", "shook his head"
"shake off", "shake it off"
Function in Storytelling
Sets a past context
Keeps action in the present/future
Compare with Definitions
Shook
Often used to indicate emotional or physical disturbance in the past.
She was so shook up after the accident.
Shake
To move back and forth or up and down with rapid, forceful, jerky movements.
She will shake the salad dressing before using it.
Shook
Past tense of shake, used to describe completed shaking movements.
He shook the package to guess its contents.
Shake
To cause to move from side to side or up and down with jerky movements while holding or touching.
He shakes his fist in frustration.
Shook
Used in expressions of negation of stability or calm.
The earthquake shook the town last night.
Shake
In colloquial use, to get rid of or dismiss something.
Try to shake off your nervousness before the presentation.
Shook
Past of shake
Shake
(of a structure or area of land) tremble or vibrate
Buildings shook in Sacramento and tremors were felt in Reno
Shook
Emotionally or physically disturbed; upset
She looks pretty shook up from the letter
Shake
Move (an object) up and down or from side to side with rapid, forceful, jerky movements
She stood in the hall and shook her umbrella
Shook
Keen on; enthusiastic about
Those stories you read about where two blokes get shook on the same sheila
Shake
Upset the composure or confidence of; shock or astonish
The boy was visibly shaken
Rumours of a further loss shook the market
Shook
A set of components ready for assembly into a box or cask.
Shake
An act of shaking
She gave her red curls a vehement shake
Shook
A set of parts for assembling a barrel or packing box.
Shake
A fit of trembling or shivering
I wouldn't go in there, it gives me the shakes
Shook
Past tense of shake.
Shake
Short for milkshake
Shook
A set of pieces for making a cask or box, usually wood.
Shake
An earth tremor.
Shook
The parts of a piece of house furniture, as a bedstead, packed together.
Shake
A trill.
Shook
To pack (staves, etc.) in a shook.
Shake
A kind of rough wooden shingle, used especially on rustic buildings
Cedar shakes
Shook
(slang) Shaken up; rattled; shocked or surprised.
I am shook.
Shake
To cause to move from side to side or up and down with jerky movements
I shook the juice container.
Shook
(slang) Emotionally upset or disturbed; scared
Shake
To cause to tremble, vibrate, or rock
The earthquake shook the ground. The wind shook the barley.
Shook
A set of staves and headings sufficient in number for one hogshead, cask, barrel, or the like, trimmed, and bound together in compact form.
Shake
To brandish or wave, especially in anger
Shake one's fist.
Shook
To pack, as staves, in a shook.
Shake
To cause to lose stability or strength, as of conviction
A crisis that has shaken my deepest beliefs.
Shook
A disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
Shake
To disturb or agitate emotionally; upset or unnerve
She was shaken by the news of the disaster.
Shake
To remove or dislodge by jerky movements
Shook the dust from the cushions.
Shake
To scatter or strew by jerky movements
Shook the salt on the popcorn.
Shake
To get rid of or put an end to
Could not shake the feeling that things would not work out.
Wanted to shake his habit of snacking.
Shake
To get away from (a pursuer)
Couldn't shake the man who was following us.
Shake
To bring to a specified condition by or as if by shaking
"It is not easy to shake one's heart free of the impression" (John Middleton Murry).
Shake
To clasp (hands) in greeting or leave-taking or as a sign of agreement.
Shake
(Music) To trill (a note).
Shake
(Games) To rattle and mix (dice) before casting.
Shake
To move from side to side or up and down in short, irregular, often jerky movements
The trees shook in the wind.
Shake
To move something vigorously up and down or from side to side, as in mixing.
Shake
To tremble, as from cold or in anger.
Shake
To be unsteady; totter or waver.
Shake
(Music) To trill.
Shake
To shake hands
Let's shake on it.
Shake
The act of shaking
Gave the bottle a shake.
Shake
A trembling or quivering movement.
Shake
(Informal) An earthquake.
Shake
A fissure in rock.
Shake
A crack in timber caused by wind or frost.
Shake
(Informal) A moment or instant
I'll do it in a shake.
Shake
(Music) A trill.
Shake
See milkshake.
Shake
A beverage in which the ingredients are mixed by shaking.
Shake
A rough shingle used to cover rustic buildings, such as barns
Cedar shakes.
Shake
Shakes(Informal) Uncontrollable trembling, as in a person who is cold, frightened, feverish, or ill. Often used with the
Was suffering from a bad case of the shakes.
Shake
(Informal) A bargain or deal
Getting a fair shake.
Shake
To cause (something) to move rapidly in opposite directions alternatingly.
The earthquake shook the building.
He shook the can of soda for thirty seconds before delivering it to me, so that, when I popped it open, soda went everywhere.
Shake
(transitive) To move (one's head) from side to side, especially to indicate refusal, reluctance, or disapproval.
Shaking his head, he kept repeating “No, no, no”.
Shake
(transitive) To move or remove by agitating; to throw off by a jolting or vibrating motion.
To shake fruit down from a tree
Shake
(transitive) To disturb emotionally; to shock.
Her father’s death shook her terribly.
He was shaken by what had happened.
Shake
(transitive) To lose, evade, or get rid of (something).
I can’t shake the feeling that I forgot something.
Shake
(intransitive) To move from side to side.
She shook with grief.
Shake
To shake hands.
OK, let’s shake on it.
Shake
(intransitive) To dance.
She was shaking it on the dance floor.
Shake
To give a tremulous tone to; to trill.
To shake a note in music
Shake
To threaten to overthrow.
The experience shook my religious belief.
Shake
To be agitated; to lose firmness.
Shake
The act of shaking or being shaken; tremulous or back-and-forth motion.
The cat gave the mouse a shake.
She replied in the negative, with a shake of her head.
Shake
A twitch, a spasm, a tremor.
Shake
A milkshake.
Shake
A beverage made by adding ice cream to a (usually carbonated) drink; a float.
Shake
Shake cannabis, small, leafy fragments of cannabis that gather at the bottom of a bag of marijuana.
Shake
An adulterant added to cocaine powder.
Shake
(building material) A thin shingle.
Shake
A crack or split between the growth rings in wood.
Shake
A fissure in rock or earth.
Shake
A basic wooden shingle made from split logs, traditionally used for roofing etc.
Shake
(informal) Instant, second. (Especially in two shakes.)
Shake
(nautical) One of the staves of a hogshead or barrel taken apart.
Shake
(music) A rapid alternation of a principal tone with another represented on the next degree of the staff above or below it; a trill.
Shake
(music) In singing, notes (usually high ones) sung vibrato.
Shake
A shook of staves and headings.
Shake
The redshank, so called from the nodding of its head while on the ground.
Shake
A shock or disturbance.
Shake
To cause to move with quick or violent vibrations; to move rapidly one way and the other; to make to tremble or shiver; to agitate.
As a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
Ascend my chariot; guide the rapid wheelsThat shake heaven's basis.
Shake
Fig.: To move from firmness; to weaken the stability of; to cause to waver; to impair the resolution of.
When his doctrines grew too strong to be shook by his enemies, they persecuted his reputation.
Thy equal fear that my firm faith and loveCan by his fraud be shaken or seduced.
Shake
To give a tremulous tone to; to trill; as, to shake a note in music.
Shake
To move or remove by agitating; to throw off by a jolting or vibrating motion; to rid one's self of; - generally with an adverb, as off, out, etc.; as, to shake fruit down from a tree.
Shake off the golden slumber of repose.
'Tis our fast intentTo shake all cares and business from our age.
I could scarcely shake him out of my company.
Shake
To be agitated with a waving or vibratory motion; to tremble; to shiver; to quake; to totter.
Under his burning wheelsThe steadfast empyrean shook throughout,All but the throne itself of God.
What danger? Who 's that that shakes behind there?
Shake
The act or result of shaking; a vacillating or wavering motion; a rapid motion one way and other; a trembling, quaking, or shivering; agitation.
The great soldier's honor was composedOf thicker stuff, which could endure a shake.
Our salutations were very hearty on both sides, consisting of many kind shakes of the hand.
Shake
A fissure or crack in timber, caused by its being dried too suddenly.
Shake
A fissure in rock or earth.
Shake
A rapid alternation of a principal tone with another represented on the next degree of the staff above or below it; a trill.
Shake
One of the staves of a hogshead or barrel taken apart.
Shake
A shook of staves and headings.
Shake
The redshank; - so called from the nodding of its head while on the ground.
Shake
Building material used as siding or roofing
Shake
Frothy drink of milk and flavoring and sometimes fruit or ice cream
Shake
A note that alternates rapidly with another note a semitone above it
Shake
Grasping and shaking a person's hand (as to acknowledge an introduction or to agree on a contract)
Shake
Reflex shaking caused by cold or fear or excitement
Shake
Causing to move repeatedly from side to side
Shake
Move or cause to move back and forth;
The chemist shook the flask vigorously
My hands were shaking
Shake
Move with or as if with a tremor;
His hands shook
Shake
Shake or vibrate rapidly and intensively;
The old engine was juddering
Shake
Move back and forth or sideways;
The ship was rocking
The tall building swayed
She rocked back and forth on her feet
Shake
Undermine or cause to waver;
My faith has been shaken
The bad news shook her hopes
Shake
Stir the feelings, emotions, or peace of;
These stories shook the community
The civil war shook the country
Shake
Get rid of;
I couldn't shake the car that was following me
Shake
Bring to a specified condition by or as if by shaking;
He was shaken from his dreams
Shake the salt out of the salt shaker
Shake
Shake (a body part) to communicate a greeting, feeling, or cognitive state;
Shake one's head
She shook her finger at the naughty students
The old enemies shook hands
Don't shake your fist at me!
Common Curiosities
How do "shook" and "shake" differ in emotional context?
"Shook" can indicate a past emotional impact, while "shake" might be used to describe an ongoing emotional state or action.
What is the grammatical function of "shook"?
Shook is the simple past tense of the verb "shake," used for describing actions that have already been completed.
Can "shake" be used to describe actions in the past?
No, "shake" is used for present or future actions; "shook" is used for past actions.
What is a common scenario to use "shake"?
"Shake" is commonly used to describe ongoing actions, like shaking a bottle.
Can "shake" indicate a future action?
Yes, in constructions like "will shake" or "is going to shake."
What is an example of "shook" in popular culture?
"He shook his head no," a common gesture in movies and books to indicate denial.
How do writers choose between "shook" and "shake" in storytelling?
"Shook" is used for past events, adding a historical perspective, while "shake" is used for actions occurring in the narrative's present or future.
Are there any idiomatic expressions with "shook"?
Yes, phrases like "shook up" (disturbed) and "shook his head" (to express denial or disbelief).
Is "shook" only used in negative contexts?
Not exclusively, but it is often used to describe disturbances or impactful events.
What does "shake off" imply?
It implies getting rid of something unwanted, like a bad feeling or a cold.
Are "shook" and "shake" interchangeable?
No, they are used in different tenses and thus fit different grammatical and narrative needs.
How do "shook" and "shake" contribute to the mood of a story?
"Shook" can lend a sense of finality or past trauma, while "shake" keeps the mood immediate and active.
Is there a physical difference in the action described by "shook" and "shake"?
No, both involve similar movements, but the tense and context of usage differ.
Can "shake" be used in commands?
Yes, as in "Shake the bottle before opening."
How does understanding "shook" vs. "shake" improve writing?
It helps in accurately depicting time and action, enhancing clarity and narrative flow.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
