able to trip

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "able to trip" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something has the capability to cause a trip or stumble, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "The uneven pavement made it easy for anyone walking there to be able to trip and fall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Eventually we scraped enough money to get an old car and so at least Lisa was able to trip around and see other parts of Britain beyond Workington.

The Guardian - Sport

As in last month's round ot talks in Istanbul, the bar has been set so close to the ground that all parties should be able to trip across it.

The Guardian

And those who aren't able to trip the light fantastic thanks to a fake ID, sample booze purchased by someone's older brother or sneak out the house after dark will have to do all this in their 20s and, believe me, coughing up a lung after one toke of your boss's cigarette is not a good look at the office Christmas party.

The Guardian - Opinion

Later, the kill squad send in a runner to find the three; Lucas is able to trip and kill him.

Wikipedia

You may be able to trip up a 4-year-old claiming the cat used a Sharpie, but are you ready for teenagers with a coordinated cover story?

Huffington Post

I faced the prospect of interviewing a politician from whom I'd be unlikely to get any good anecdotes or stirring rhetoric, and I probably wasn't going to be able to trip him up either.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

For business travelers able to plan trips in advance, Song has a round-trip fare as low as $198 between Kennedy and Palm Beach.

The New York Times

"I used to be able to afford trips and holidays.

The Guardian

It hopes to be able to resume trips in May or June and will be "keeping a close eye" on Foreign Office guidance.

The Guardian - Travel

They will be able to afford trips and family breaks.

BBC

You're also able to watch trips, get detailed forecast data, receive alerts when fares drop and more.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "able to trip" when you want to emphasize the capability or possibility of someone or something causing another to stumble, either literally or figuratively. For instance, use it to describe a physical hazard or a deceptive argument.

Common error

Avoid using "able to trip" when the intended meaning is simply 'able to travel'. While "trip" can refer to a journey, using "able to trip" in that context can cause confusion. Instead, say "able to travel" or "able to make the trip".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to trip" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that has the capability to cause someone or something to stumble, fall, or make a mistake. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to trip" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something capable of causing a stumble or error. Ludwig AI supports this assessment, and while its frequency is uncommon, it finds use in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. To ensure clarity, avoid using it when referring to travel, and consider alternatives like ""prone to tripping"" or ""capable of tripping"" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of tripping

Replaces "able" with "capable", maintaining the same meaning of having the capacity to trip.

prone to tripping

Indicates a tendency or inclination to trip.

has the potential to trip

Emphasizes the inherent possibility of causing a trip.

in a position to stumble

Focuses on the situation that allows for a trip or stumble to occur.

liable to trip

Implies a legal or probable risk of tripping.

can be tripped

Uses a passive construction to emphasize the possibility of being tripped.

could be tripped

Similar to "can be tripped", indicating a potential action.

at risk of tripping

Highlights the vulnerability to tripping.

likely to fall

Shifts the focus to the consequence of tripping, which is falling.

may cause a trip

Focuses on the action of causing a trip.

FAQs

How can I use "able to trip" in a sentence?

You can use "able to trip" to describe something that has the potential to cause someone to stumble or fall, like "The loose rug was "prone to tripping" the elderly". It can also be used metaphorically.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "able to trip"?

Alternatives include "capable of tripping", "likely to fall", or "prone to tripping", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "able to trip"?

It's appropriate when you specifically want to highlight the capacity or potential for something to cause a stumble or error. For instance, "The poorly worded question was "designed to mislead" and "able to trip" up the candidates".

What is the difference between "able to trip" and "likely to trip"?

"Able to trip" implies the capacity to cause someone to stumble, while "likely to trip" suggests a higher probability or tendency for that to happen. "The obstacle was "able to trip" anyone who wasn't careful", versus "Because of the poor lighting, people were "likely to trip"".