What is the past tense of "shake"?

The past simple of "shake" is "shook". Shake the juice container before drinking.

What is a common mistake with "shake"?

Wrong: "The table are shaking from the vibrations.". Correct: "The table is shaking from the vibrations.". Singular subject 'table' requires singular verb 'is', not plural 'are'.

Conjugation of "Shake" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage

Q: What is the past participle of "shake"?

The past participle of "shake" is "shaken". Use it after have/has/had: "I have shaken".

Q: Is "shake" regular or irregular?

"Shake" is an irregular English verb. Pattern: shake-shook-shaken (strong/ablaut verb).

Q: How do you pronounce "shake"?

/ʃeɪk/ — /ʃeɪk/ rhymes with 'make'. The 'a-e' makes the long 'a' diphthong sound.

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All 12 Tenses of "Shake"

Quick reference table — every tense form of "shake" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.

Tense	Example (I)	Quick rule
Simple Present	`I shake`	Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule →
Simple Past	`I shaked`	Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule →
Simple Future	`I will shake`	Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule →
Present Continuous	`I am shaking`	Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule →
Past Continuous	`I was shaking`	Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule →
Future Continuous	`I will be shaking`	Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect	`I have shaked`	Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule →
Past Perfect	`I had shaked`	Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule →
Future Perfect	`I will have shaked`	Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect Continuous	`I have been shaking`	Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule →
Past Perfect Continuous	`I had been shaking`	Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule →
Future Perfect Continuous	`I will have been shaking`	Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule →

Past Tense of "Shake" — Shook

The past simple of "shake" is "shook". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "shake" is irregular, "shook" is not formed by adding -ed — you have to memorize this form. See our simple past tense guide for a deeper explanation of the simple past.

She shook her head to say no. A1
The building shook during the earthquake. A2

Past Participle of "Shake" — Shaken

The past participle of "shake" is "shaken". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have shaken"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was shaken"). Because "shake" is irregular, "shaken" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.

Is "Shake" Regular or Irregular?

"Shake" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "shake", past simple "shook", and past participle "shaken". The 3rd-person singular present is "shakes" and the present participle/gerund is "shaking". Conjugation pattern: shake-shook-shaken (strong/ablaut verb).

Conjugation pattern: shake-shook-shaken (strong/ablaut verb)

How to Pronounce "Shake" and Its Forms

Shake: /ʃeɪk/ — Stress pattern: O

/ʃeɪk/ rhymes with 'make'. The 'a-e' makes the long 'a' diphthong sound.

Common mispronunciation of "shake"

Sometimes pronounced /ʃæk/ with short 'a'; should be /ʃeɪk/ with long 'a'.

How to Use "Shake" — Common Grammar Patterns

Use 'shake' for quick repeated movements. Add 'up' to mean reorganize or disturb.

S + V + noun
shake + off
shake + up

Example Sentences with "Shake" in Different Tenses

Simple Past: She shook her head to say no. A1

Common Collocations with "Shake"

shake hands
shake your head
shake up
shake off
shake a bottle

When to Use "Shake" vs Similar Verbs

"shake" vs "shove"

Shake is repeated rapid movement; shove is one pushing movement.

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

tremble — for small involuntary shaking from fear or cold
vibrate — for rapid continuous shaking or oscillation
quiver — for slight trembling movements

Antonyms: hold steady, stabilize

Common Mistakes with "Shake"

Wrong: She shake often.
Correct: She shakes often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).

Origin and Etymology of "Shake"

From Old English 'sceacan', related to Germanic languages meaning to move or shake.

Idiomatic: 'shake hands', 'shake off', 'shake up' (reorganize), 'no shake' (not important).

Conjugation Tables for "Shake"

Negative Forms

Simple present: I do not shake · He does not shake
Simple past: I did not shake · She did not shake
Present perfect: I have not shaken · He has not shaken

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you shake? · Does he shake?
Simple past: Did you shake?
Present perfect: Have you shaken?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

Simple present passive: It is shaken
Simple past passive: It was shaken
Present perfect passive: It has been shaken

Frequently Asked Questions About "Shake"

Is "shake" regular or irregular?: "shake" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "shaked" and past participle is "shaked". You must memorize these forms.
What is the past tense of "shake"?: The simple past of "shake" is "shaked".
Are the past simple and past participle the same for "shake"?: Yes, for this irregular verb, both the past simple and past participle are "shaked".