he tripped over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he tripped over' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone accidentally stumbling or falling. For example, "John was walking to his car when he tripped over, and fell to the ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He tripped over on the pavement while drunk, hit his head and now has a life-threatening injury.

The Guardian

Mr Gove's visit to Shepton Mallet hospital came after he tripped over a toy and banged his foot on a Saturday night.

Independent

During practice one afternoon, Mr. Lyle was swatting ground balls to infielders when he tripped over the plastic apron that sits under the batting cage to protect the grass.

The New York Times

As Pausanias tried to escape, he tripped over a vine and was killed by his pursuers, including two of Alexander's companions, Perdiccas and Leonnatus.

Wikipedia

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

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

The New York Times

He tripped over them, took a tumble and landed with a thud in the building's backyard.

The New York Times

Bennett managed to break his fall, although he tripped over a cameraman and both men crashed to the ground.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

On the first play of the second quarter, he tripped over his own feet as he pulled back from center on third-and-8 from the 10.

The New York Times - Sports

Arikan's challenge was affected by a fall early in the race when he tripped over the course's only barrier.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he tripped over" to clearly describe an accidental stumble caused by an obstruction. Be specific about what the person tripped over for added clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "he tripped over on" as it's redundant. "He tripped over the rug" is correct, while "He tripped over on the rug" is not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he tripped over" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action where someone loses balance and stumbles due to an obstruction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he tripped over" accurately describes an instance of someone stumbling due to an obstruction. Ludwig AI affirms that it is grammatically sound and widely used. Its usage is particularly common in news reporting and general descriptive contexts. Remember to avoid the redundant "he tripped over on". Consider alternatives like "he stumbled" or "he lost his footing" depending on the nuance you want to convey. With its high frequency and clear meaning, "he tripped over" is a valuable phrase to have in your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he stumbled

Describes a similar loss of balance, but may imply less of a fall.

he lost his footing

Focuses on the loss of stability that led to the stumble.

he took a tumble

Emphasizes the act of falling, potentially after tripping.

he slipped

Indicates a loss of traction, often on a smooth surface.

he misstepped

Highlights an error in foot placement.

he faltered

Suggests a momentary loss of balance or coordination.

he nearly fell

Indicates a close call, where the person almost fell but recovered.

he went sprawling

Describes falling in a disorganized manner.

he plunged

Implies a sudden and uncontrolled fall.

he keeled over

Suggests falling sideways, often due to weakness or faintness.

FAQs

What does "he tripped over" mean?

It means someone lost their balance and stumbled or fell because they accidentally hit their foot against something.

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

You can say, "He tripped over the curb and almost fell" or "Walking in the dark, he tripped over a tree root".

What's a more descriptive alternative to "he tripped over"?

Depending on the situation, you might use "he stumbled", "he lost his footing", or "he took a tumble".

Is it correct to say "he tripped over on"?

No, the "on" is redundant. The correct phrasing is simply "he tripped over" followed by the object he tripped over, like "he tripped over the toy".