I stumbled across

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I stumbled across" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you found something unexpectedly or by chance. Example: "While cleaning the attic, I stumbled across an old photo album filled with memories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I stumbled across Realty Mogul's listing on AngelList in Spring 2013.

Huffington Post

There I stumbled across Ginasflutes.com.

The New York Times

Had I stumbled across the location?

The Guardian - Travel

LAST week I stumbled across this headline: "Gov.

The New York Times

That's the idea behind onefinestay, which I stumbled across recently.

The Economist

Then I stumbled across this place in Soho.

The Guardian

"But then I stumbled across this little gem.

The Guardian - Sport

I stumbled across him two weeks ago, and went: "Yes!

The Guardian

I stumbled across this scene, and I was inspired by the lights and colors.

The New York Times

I stumbled across it when I was visiting a porcelain factory in China.

The New York Times

I stumbled across Childress's other work in all sorts of places.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "I stumbled across" in formal or technical writing where a more direct and precise term like 'discovered' or 'identified' would be more appropriate.

Common error

Be mindful not to overuse "I stumbled across" in professional documents, reports, or academic papers. Opt for stronger, more formal alternatives such as 'discovered', 'identified', or 'found' to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I stumbled across" functions as a narrative device to introduce an element of chance or serendipity in a discovery. As Ludwig AI explains, it's considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I stumbled across" is a versatile phrase used to describe the unexpected discovery of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, especially in contexts that benefit from a touch of spontaneity. While extremely common in news and media, it is rarely present in Science, Academic or Formal Business sources. For more formal writing, consider alternatives such as "I discovered" or "I identified". Remember to harness this expression effectively to enrich your narratives and personal anecdotes, ensuring a seamless connection with your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I chanced upon

Emphasizes the element of chance in the discovery.

I happened to find

Highlights the accidental nature of the finding.

I accidentally discovered

Focuses on the unintentional aspect of the discovery.

I unexpectedly found

Stresses the surprise element of the finding.

I came across

A more common and slightly less emphatic way of saying the same thing.

I ran into

Implies a more direct or physical encounter with something.

I unearthed

Suggests a more deliberate or investigative finding.

I detected

Emphasizes the act of noticing something, often hidden.

I located

Highlights the act of finding something after a search (although in this case, not a deliberate search).

I encountered

A more formal and general way of saying 'I found'.

FAQs

What does "I stumbled across" mean?

The phrase "I stumbled across" means that you found or discovered something unexpectedly or by chance. It implies that the finding was not the result of a deliberate search.

What can I say instead of "I stumbled across"?

You can use alternatives like "I came across", "I happened to find", or "I accidentally discovered" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "I stumbled across" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "I stumbled across" is generally more suitable for informal or narrative writing. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "I discovered" or "I identified" to maintain a professional tone.

How to use "I stumbled across" in a sentence?

You can use "I stumbled across" in a sentence to describe an unexpected discovery, for example: "While browsing the library, "I stumbled across" a rare first edition."