Use quaking when describing a shaking motion, especially as a verb form.
Use quaking when describing a shaking motion, especially as a verb form.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| He quaking in the storm. | He is quaking in the storm. |
| The earth quaked and then quaking. | The earth quaked and then kept quaking. |
| She was quaking with joy. | She was trembling with joy. |
| Quaking the car is dangerous. | Shaking the car is dangerous. |
Use quaking to label ground that is unsafe or gives a trembling feeling.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The quaking feeling was nice. | The feeling was not quaking; use 'shaky' for ground. |
| He walked on the quaking. | He walked on the quaking ground. |
| The quaking bog is a type of desert. | The quaking bog is a type of wetland. |
| She described the music as quaking. | She described the music as 'shaky' or 'unstable', not 'quaking'. |
Use quaking as a noun when referring to the shaking itself.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| His quaking were loud. | His quaking was loud. |
| The quaking's intensity surprised everyone. | The intensity of the quaking surprised everyone. |
| We observed many quakings during the test. | We observed many instances of quaking during the test. |
| Quaking is a noun meaning a person who quakes. | Quaking is not used to mean a person; use 'quaker' for a member of the Quakers. |
Use quaking in informal digital contexts to convey a strong emotional response.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| I was quaking after the joke. | I was shocked after the joke. |
| The article was quaking. | The article was impressive; do not use 'quaking' in formal writing. |
| She is quaking about the news. | She is excited about the news. |
| He used quaking in a business report. | Avoid slang like 'quaking' in formal reports. |
Choose quaking for literal shaking, unsafe terrain, the shaking event itself, or informal online expressions of intense feeling; avoid it in formal contexts when a more precise word is needed.
Dropping the auxiliary in progressive sentences, e.g., He quaking instead of He is quaking.
From Middle English quakinge, from Old English cwacung, formed from quake + -ing.
What does "quaking" mean in a literal sense?
It describes shaking or trembling, as when the ground moves.
How is "quaking" used to describe unsafe ground?
It functions as an adjective for terrain that gives way underfoot, like a quaking bog.
Can "quaking" be a noun?
Yes, it can refer to the act or period of shaking.
What is the internet slang meaning of "quaking"?
It expresses being extremely shocked, impressed, excited, nervous, or emotionally overwhelmed.
What is the origin of the word "quaking"?
It comes from Middle English quakinge, derived from Old English cwacung, formed from the verb quake plus the suffix -ing.
Is "quaking" appropriate in formal writing?
It is best used in informal or descriptive contexts; for formal writing choose more precise terms like "shaking" or "unstable".