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April 4, 2017

Shuffle, Shamble, Stumble, Waddle and other ‘Walking’ Verbs

By TRWCBlogger

Walking refers to the act of travelling by foot. That is changing position from one place to another by foot. Walking is classified as a continuous form of verb.

There are a number of verbs which describe abnormal ways of walking. We often misuse these words, we interchange them for one another because they seem similar. Let us shed some light on some of these verbs and their appropriate usage

Shuffle and shamble indicate moving without lifting the feet completely off the ground.

Shuffle suggests a slow, tired movement; shamble may be faster and more careless.

Look at these examples:
1. The queue of prisoners shuffled towards the door.
2. The beggar shambled past us.

Stagger and stumble suggest unsteady or uncontrolled movement.

A person staggers when carrying a heavy load or when drunk. We stumble when we hit our feet against unseen objects.

Waddle is used humorously to describe someone swaying from side to side like a duck. This is observed in some pregnant women or while carrying heavy bags.

Hobble and limp describe the uneven movement of someone whose legs are injured. Limp is used especially when only one leg is damaged.

Credit: Basic English (A Trouble-shooting Approach): Adeleke A. Fakoya (1999)


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