falter

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "falter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something is losing strength or resolve and is beginning to stumble or make mistakes. For example, when her opponent began to falter, Sarah stepped up and took the lead in the debate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The man known as the undisputed king of clay will now drop out of the top five, and could be as low as nine should he falter at the Rome Masters next week.

The Guardian - Sport

The lack of growth in April saw annual growth falter slightly, dropping from 4.4% to 4.1%: But there is reason to think this is not all bad news.

The Guardian - Business

Murray had the chance to serve out the first set at 5-4 only to falter and he needed to save two set points at 5-6 before winning the tiebreak 7-4 with some more outstanding hitting.

The Guardian - Sport

Bosnia-Herzegovina might have qualified for the Euros in 2004 and 2012 only to falter in the final group game.

The Guardian - Sport

It is thought that ITV will sign a deal for X Factor, it can make as much as £100m a season in TV ad revenue and sponsorship, but that if talks to guarantee Cowell's appearance falter, it could look to offer reduced terms such as a two-year contract.

The Guardian

This is not the moment to falter.

The Guardian

Only at school did he falter.

The Guardian - Sport

Fears are growing that the global recovery will falter as Europe's debt crisis spreads, China's property bubble bursts and America's stimulus-fuelled rebound peters out.

The Economist

This is the second important deal of AHP's to falter in eight months: its merger talks with SmithKline Beecham were broken off in January this year when the British firm decided to throw its lot in with its larger compatriot, Glaxo Wellcome (a merger that itself fell apart only a few weeks later).However, Monsanto is bearing the brunt of investors' anger, because it has the most to lose.

The Economist

And for all their clinical potential, Lilly's bright new drugs could still falter.

The Economist

TWO months after Edmund Stoiber's triumphant adoption as the right's champion in Germany's general election in September, and a decidedly bouncy start, is he beginning to falter?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "falter" in business writing, consider the negative connotations. Ensure the context provides sufficient information to mitigate concerns about potential instability.

Common error

Avoid using "falter" when you mean "founder". "Falter" means to stumble or hesitate, while "founder" means to fail completely or sink. Using the wrong word can drastically change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "falter" is as an intransitive verb, describing a state of weakening or instability. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, emphasizing the loss of momentum or certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "falter" functions as an intransitive verb indicating a decline or wavering in strength, performance, or resolve. Ludwig examples show that it is very common in news and business contexts, used to describe situations where something is losing momentum or stability. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. When writing, remember that "falter" describes a temporary weakening, not a complete failure, and is distinct from "founder", which implies total collapse. Consider alternatives like "stumble" or "waver" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stumble

Emphasizes a physical or metaphorical misstep or loss of balance.

waver

Highlights indecision or a lack of conviction.

flag

Implies a loss of energy or enthusiasm.

lose momentum

Shifts the focus to the reduction of forward progress or speed.

hesitate

Focuses on a pause or reluctance before acting or speaking.

give way

Suggests a collapse or failure under pressure.

weaken

Stresses the reduction in physical or metaphorical strength.

decline

Indicates a gradual decrease in quality, quantity, or strength.

stagnate

Indicates a lack of growth or development.

peter out

Suggests a gradual fading or coming to an end.

FAQs

How can I use "falter" in a sentence?

You can use "falter" to describe someone losing strength or resolve. For example, "The economy began to falter after the initial boom".

What can I say instead of "falter"?

You can use alternatives like "stumble", "waver", or "hesitate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "falter" or "founder"?

"Falter" means to stumble or hesitate, while "founder" means to fail completely. The correct word depends on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

What's the difference between "falter" and "hesitate"?

"Falter" suggests a loss of strength or stability, while "hesitate" implies a pause due to uncertainty or reluctance. The difference lies in the underlying cause of the pause or instability.