he faltered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he faltered" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that somebody has stopped speaking or acting confidently or assertively. For example, "He was about to declare his love for her, but then he faltered and stayed silent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"My God: he faltered.

The New Yorker

"Why?" he faltered.

The New Yorker

He faltered under them.

The New York Times - Sports

"What is it?" He faltered.

The New Yorker

We crowed with delight when he faltered.

The Guardian - Books

But as a candidate, he faltered.

The Washington Post

If he faltered, he said, other prisoners would beat him.

The New York Times

He faltered first during a two-run second inning.

The New York Times - Sports

Initially, Topalov followed up well, but then he faltered.

The New York Times

But he faltered again in Australia the next summer.

The Guardian - Sport

But he faltered late, especially on the last shot.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he faltered", consider adding context about why the person faltered. This makes the description more vivid and insightful.

Common error

Avoid using "he faltered" when a more decisive term like "he failed" or "he collapsed" is more appropriate. "He faltered" suggests a temporary setback, not a complete defeat.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he faltered" functions as a predicate within a sentence, typically following a subject pronoun ("he"). It describes an action, indicating a moment of hesitation, weakness, or decline. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he faltered" is grammatically sound and frequently employed, as verified by Ludwig. It's predominantly found in news and media contexts to depict a temporary lapse in performance, speech, or resolve. While versatile, it's crucial to distinguish it from stronger terms like "he failed". Ludwig AI confirms that "he faltered" serves as an effective means to illustrate vulnerability or instability in a subject's actions, offering a nuanced perspective on a moment of weakness rather than outright failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he hesitated

Indicates a pause or reluctance in speech or action; less emphasis on failure than "he faltered".

he stumbled

Suggests a loss of physical or metaphorical balance; implies a brief, recoverable misstep.

he wavered

Implies indecision or instability; often used when discussing choices or beliefs.

he weakened

Focuses on a decrease in strength or resolve; suggests a gradual decline rather than a sudden failure.

he lost his nerve

Highlights a loss of courage or confidence; suggests an emotional or psychological barrier.

he trailed off

Specifically refers to speech that fades away; implies a lack of conviction or unfinished thought.

he couldn't continue

Indicates an inability to proceed, either physically or metaphorically, due to some obstacle.

he ran out of steam

Implies a loss of energy or enthusiasm; suggests exhaustion or depletion of resources.

he had a lapse

Describes a temporary failure or decline in judgment or skill.

he came unstuck

Suggests a breakdown or disintegration of a plan or performance under pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "he faltered" in a sentence?

You can use "he faltered" to describe a moment when someone hesitates, loses confidence, or makes a mistake. For example, "He was about to give his speech, but "he faltered" when he saw the size of the crowd."

What's the difference between "he faltered" and "he failed"?

"He faltered" suggests a temporary setback or hesitation, while "he failed" implies a complete lack of success. For example, "He faltered during the presentation, but recovered quickly", versus "He failed to meet the deadline."

What are some synonyms for "he faltered"?

Some synonyms for "he faltered" include "he hesitated", "he stumbled", "he wavered", or "he lost his nerve".

Is "he faltered" formal or informal?

"He faltered" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding vocabulary and subject matter.