he is falling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is falling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is in the process of losing their balance or descending from a higher position. Example: "As he ran towards the edge of the cliff, he stumbled and realized too late that he is falling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

He is falling.

The New Yorker

He feels like he is falling apart.

The New Yorker

He is something he is falling into:.

The New Yorker

But on the inside he is falling apart.

The Guardian - Books

— Even when he is falling into line, Stephon Marbury cannot help but draw attention to himself.

The New York Times - Sports

He is falling on his sword for the £290m Libor-rigging fine but his pain is being cushioned.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Now he is fallen, and we are lost.

The Guardian - Sport

But he added, "Now he is fallen, and we are lost".

The New York Times - Sports

"He was created in the image of God, and he is fallen.

The New York Times - Magazine

But he was falling away.

The New Yorker

He was falling over.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is falling" to describe a literal fall, or metaphorically to describe a decline in status, health, or performance.

Common error

Ensure you use "falling" to describe the action of descending, not the state of having already fallen. For example, use "he is falling" to describe the process of falling, and "he has fallen" to describe the completed action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is falling" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that is currently in progress. According to Ludwig, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is falling" is a grammatically sound and commonly used present continuous verb phrase that according to Ludwig is often seen in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business contexts. It describes an ongoing action, literally or metaphorically, and its neutrality makes it suitable for various registers. While interchangeable with options like "he is plummeting" or "he is declining" depending on the nuance you want to convey, it's important to differentiate "falling" (the action) from "fallen" (the state). Be sure to use "he is falling" to describe the action of descending, not the state of having already fallen.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is losing his balance

Explicitly states the loss of equilibrium.

he is plummeting

Implies a rapid and uncontrolled descent.

he is tumbling down

Emphasizes a chaotic and uncontrolled fall.

he is collapsing

Indicates a sudden loss of structure or strength.

he is declining

Suggests a gradual decrease in condition or status.

he is stumbling

Describes a loss of balance while walking.

he is tripping

Suggests an accidental loss of footing.

he is descending

Refers to a general downward movement.

he is going down

A more general term for falling or declining.

he is failing

Indicates a lack of success or a decline in performance.

FAQs

How can I use "he is falling" in a sentence?

You can use "he is falling" to describe a person physically losing their balance, such as "He lost his footing and realized "he is falling"". It can also be used metaphorically, like "He is falling behind in his studies".

What phrases are similar to "he is falling"?

Alternatives include phrases like "he is plummeting", "he is collapsing", or "he is descending", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "he is falling" metaphorically?

It's appropriate when you want to describe a decline or loss of status, performance, or well-being. For example, "he is falling ill" suggests a gradual decline in health.

What's the difference between "he is falling" and "he has fallen"?

"He is falling" describes an action in progress, while "he has fallen" describes a completed action. For instance, "He is falling" means he's currently in the process of descending, whereas "he has fallen" means he already reached the ground or a lower point.