he tripped

USAGE SUMMARY

"he tripped" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is a simple sentence that can be used in various situations, typically when describing an action or event that occurred in the past. For example: - "He tripped on the sidewalk and fell flat on his face." - "As he walked down the stairs, he tripped and tumbled to the bottom." - "The little boy giggled as he tripped over his own shoelaces." - "She couldn't stop laughing as she watched him trip over his own two feet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Had he tripped?

The New Yorker

"No, he tripped," Toomer said.

The New York Times - Sports

In his haste, he tripped and fell.

The New York Times - Sports

Nieminen couldn't hit the court if he tripped and fell.

The New York Times

He tripped up early in Iowa, the first caucus.

The Economist

He tripped over a leg while running through the woods.

The Economist

"He tripped over my foot and that was the play.

The New York Times - Sports

But when Mr. Obama traveled this rhetorical ground, he tripped.

The New York Times

He was jumping from rock to rock when he tripped".

The Guardian

About the 20, he tripped without being touched and toppled to the turf.

The New York Times - Sports

Walking in the woods one night, he tripped over a mole's burrow.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event where someone lost their balance, use "he tripped" to convey a sudden and often unintentional fall. Ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of the trip, if known, to provide a more vivid description.

Common error

Don't simply state "he tripped" without providing context. Instead, clarify what caused the trip, such as "he tripped over a root" or "he tripped on the stairs", to create a clearer image for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he tripped" functions as a simple past tense declarative clause. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. This construction is used to narrate an event where an individual lost balance and potentially fell. The subject 'he' performs the action of tripping.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he tripped" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a past event where someone lost their balance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, primarily in news and media. While alternative phrases like "he stumbled" or "he slipped" offer nuanced variations, "he tripped" remains a direct and common way to convey this action. Remember to provide context to clarify what caused the trip for better clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he stumbled

Focuses on a loss of balance, similar to tripping, but may imply a less severe fall.

he slipped

Highlights the action of sliding unintentionally, often leading to a loss of balance.

he lost his footing

Emphasizes the lack of stability that led to the fall.

he faltered

Indicates a hesitation or brief loss of stability, which may or may not lead to a full fall.

he tumbled

Suggests a more uncontrolled fall, involving rolling or spinning.

he made a misstep

Highlights a mistake in foot placement that led to a stumble.

he took a spill

An informal way of saying that someone fell, often unexpectedly.

he had a fall

A general term for losing one's balance and landing on the ground.

he came a cropper

A British English idiom for falling heavily or failing.

he erred

Indicates making a mistake, which can be in a physical sense (like tripping) or in a more general context.

FAQs

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

You can use "he tripped" to describe a past event where someone lost their balance and stumbled or fell. For example, "He tripped on the uneven pavement and nearly dropped his coffee."

What are some alternatives to saying "he tripped"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "he stumbled", "he slipped", or "he lost his footing".

Is it correct to say "he tripped and fell"?

Yes, "he tripped and fell" is a grammatically correct and common way to describe someone losing their balance and landing on the ground. It emphasizes the consequence of the trip.

What's the difference between "he tripped" and "he stumbled"?

"He tripped" implies a more sudden and unexpected loss of balance, often caused by an obstruction. "He stumbled" can suggest a less severe loss of balance or a momentary faltering.