Shook vs. Shaken
“Shook” and “shaken” are different forms of the irregular verb “shake.” “Shook” is the simple past, while “shaken” is the past participle used in perfect constructions.
Use “shook” for the simple past and “shaken” as the past participle, especially after have/has/had.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| simple past with no auxiliary | shook | Use “shook.” |
| past participle after have/has/had | shaken | Use “shaken.” |
| past participle in passive/adjectival constructions | shaken | Use the participle where the grammar calls for it. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Is this a simple past clause without “have/has/had”?
If yes: Use “shook.”
If no: If an auxiliary requires the past participle, use “shaken.”
Caveat: This is a verb-form distinction; lexicalized adjective uses of “shaken” follow the participle form as well.
Examples
The vibration shook the windows last night.
“Shook” is the simple past.
The storm has shaken several loose branches free.
After “has,” the past participle is “shaken.”
They were visibly shaken by the sudden noise.
“Shaken” is the participial/adjectival form.
Further guidance
Core difference
“Shook” is the simple-past form of “shake”; “shaken” is the past participle used with auxiliaries such as have, has, or had.
Fast Test
If have, has, or had directly governs the form of “shake,” choose “shaken.” For a standalone finite past-tense verb, choose “shook.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Shake — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Dictionary evidence for the irregular forms shake, shook, shaken and their simple-past/past-participle roles.