be tripped over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be tripped over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something causes another person to stumble or fall. Example: "The loose carpet was so annoying that I often found myself being tripped over it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

At one point Palin breaks into a pre-adolescent response to a query about McCain's credibility on the economy--never one to be tripped over by facts, she defiantly declares, "I'm not looking at poll numbers".

Huffington Post

She put in a flat bar top, replacing one that had an ornamental lip that could be tripped over, and she insisted that it be made of harder wood.

The New York Times

As they moved from room to room, Ms. Bakker pointed out a rug with a hazardous corner; a lamp without a shade; inadequate light in a hallway; doorsills that could be tripped over, mattresses that could be firmer and lower.

The New York Times

I sometimes have to pinch myself when friends or family ask with incredulity about the lack of W.M.D., and remind myself that the average person has the idea that there are mountains of the stuff over there, ready to be tripped over.

The New Yorker

With a giant overhead video display showing five movies similtaneously and various ambi-sexual sculptures jutting out at every imaginable angle, visitors to the Barney show should take care not to be tripped over by other transfixed and profoundly confused visitors or mistakenly bumped into by big-time modern art.

The New York Times - Arts

Secure or discard loose rugs or carpet, and clear away clutter on the ground that can be tripped over.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Those two hundred review copies her husband had been tripping over before Christmas?

The New Yorker

I was tripping over, breathing hard, doing things in the wrong order.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These words — these familiar tropes — are obstacles he's tripping over, as if he were trying them out for the first time.

The New York Times - Arts

We are tripping over God with every step we take.

Huffington Post

If you love high heels but you're tripping over yourself then learn to love flats.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing potential hazards in safety instructions, use the passive voice construction "be tripped over" to clearly indicate the object that poses a tripping risk. For example, "Cables should be secured to prevent them from being tripped over".

Common error

Avoid using "trip over" when you mean "stumble upon". "Trip over" implies an unintended collision with an obstacle, while "stumble upon" suggests a chance discovery. The phrase "be tripped over" should only be used when something is creating a tripping hazard.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be tripped over" functions as a passive construction, indicating the potential for an object or obstacle to cause someone to stumble or fall. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and highlights a potential hazard.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be tripped over" serves as a passive construction to highlight a potential hazard that could cause someone to stumble. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct, frequently used in News & Media and Wiki contexts, and generally neutral in tone. When using this phrase, ensure the focus is on the object causing the hazard, rather than a specific actor. Also, remember not to confuse "trip over" with "stumble upon". The related phrases, such as "be stumbled over" and "run the risk of tripping on", offer alternative ways to convey similar ideas with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be stumbled over

Emphasizes the act of stumbling, focusing on the action rather than the potential consequence.

risk tripping on

Highlights the risk or possibility of tripping, rather than the direct action of being tripped.

be prone to tripping over

Suggests a higher likelihood or tendency to trip over something.

be liable to trip over

Implies a legal or formal possibility of tripping over something, often used in safety contexts.

be in danger of tripping on

Focuses on the potential hazard and the resulting danger of tripping.

be likely to trip over

Indicates a probability or expectation that someone will trip over something.

run the risk of tripping on

Highlights the choice to do something despite knowing the hazard to trip over something.

could be tripped by

Expresses possibility, but slightly less common and direct.

might be tripped by

Similar to 'could be tripped by', but with a slightly weaker possibility.

risk being tripped by

A synonym for 'risk tripping on', more focused on the agent that cause the trip.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be tripped over" to sound more active?

You can rephrase "be tripped over" in a more active voice by saying "someone might "trip on" it" or "it could cause someone to "trip"."

What does "be tripped over" imply in a sentence?

The phrase "be tripped over" implies that an object or situation presents a hazard that could cause someone to stumble or fall. It focuses on the risk or potential for an accident due to the presence of the object.

Is it correct to say "be tripped by" instead of "be tripped over"?

While "be tripped by" is grammatically correct, it typically implies a specific agent causing the tripping, whereas "be tripped over" emphasizes the object or obstacle that presents the hazard. Therefore, "be tripped over" is more appropriate when the focus is on the hazard itself.

What's the difference between "be stumbled over" and "be tripped over"?

"Be stumbled over" and "be tripped over" are quite similar, but "be stumbled over" often implies a less forceful or more accidental encounter. "Be tripped over" suggests a more distinct obstacle that actively causes the person to lose balance.