she tripped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she tripped" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is a simple subject-verb phrase that can be used to describe an action that a person has done or is doing. Here are a few examples of how it could be used in a sentence: - She tripped and fell on her way to the bus stop. - The little girl was running around the playground when she suddenly tripped on a toy. - As she walked down the uneven path, she tripped over a loose rock and nearly fell. - Lisa felt embarrassed when she tripped in front of her crush. - The old man lost his balance and tripped on the stairs, causing him to tumble down.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She tripped over her own arrogance".

Independent

She tripped, hit her head and died.

The Guardian - Film

She tripped and hit her head on the bathroom sink.

Yale University

At one point, she tripped getting into a taxi.

The New York Times - Health

She tripped, fell and landed awkwardly, breaking her right hip.

The Guardian

"He started doing all the talking — saying she tripped in the tub and hit her head.

The New York Times

It was not long before she tripped on uneven cobblestones near the faded play equipment.

The New York Times

The former nurse's aide had been gardening when she tripped and fell.

The Washington Post

As she walked off the stage, she tripped over a speaker.

The New Yorker

It was the snicker she heard whenever she tripped over discarded towels or dropped the broom with her clumsy hands.

The New Yorker

In 2006, a cocktail waitress accused him of sexual assault; he said he caught her when she tripped.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an accident or unexpected event, "she tripped" is a clear and concise way to indicate a loss of balance. Follow it with details about the cause (e.g., "she tripped on the curb") or the result (e.g., "she tripped and fell").

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying what caused the person to trip. Simply stating "she tripped" might leave the reader wondering what the obstacle was. Providing context (e.g., "she tripped over a root") makes the sentence more informative and vivid.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she tripped" functions as a simple declarative statement, indicating an action performed by a female subject. Ludwig AI confirms this is a valid and grammatically sound construction. The verb "tripped" describes the action of stumbling or losing balance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

13%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she tripped" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe someone losing their balance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its neutral register allows for use in diverse contexts, from formal news reports to casual conversation. While clear, adding context about the cause or result of the trip enhances understanding. Consider alternatives like "she stumbled" or "she lost her footing" for nuanced expression. The high frequency and presence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she stumbled

Replaces "tripped" with a synonym indicating a loss of balance.

she slipped

Indicates a loss of traction, leading to a potential fall.

she lost her footing

Emphasizes the loss of balance as the cause of the fall.

she lost her balance

Directly states the reason for the potential fall.

she nearly fell

Focuses on the near-fall aspect, implying she recovered before a complete fall.

she staggered

Indicates an unsteady movement before a potential fall.

she faltered

Suggests a momentary loss of balance, perhaps due to weakness or uncertainty.

she had a misstep

Highlights a mistake in stepping, leading to imbalance.

she took a tumble

Describes the fall itself, rather than the initial loss of balance.

she almost went down

More informal way to state the nearly fell aspect.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "she tripped"?

You can use alternatives like "she stumbled", "she lost her footing", or "she nearly fell" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify what caused someone to trip?

While not always necessary, specifying the cause adds clarity and detail to your writing. If the cause is unknown or unimportant, "she tripped" is sufficient. If the cause is relevant, mentioning it (e.g., "she tripped on a rock") provides a more complete picture.

What is the difference between "she tripped" and "she slipped"?

"She tripped" implies an obstruction or uneven surface caused the loss of balance, while "she slipped" suggests a loss of traction, often on a smooth or wet surface. The choice depends on the specific circumstances.

How can I make the sentence "she tripped" more descriptive?

Add details about how she tripped (e.g., "she tripped awkwardly"), where she tripped (e.g., "she tripped on the stairs"), or the result of her tripping (e.g., "she tripped and fell heavily").