stumble

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "stumble" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to making a mistake as a result of hesitation, failure to comprehend, or a sudden loss of balance. For example: "The speaker stumbled over his words, making the audience chuckle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Guatemala needs to recognize on a national level the socio-economic inequality that sees it stumble at the very first of the UN Millennium Development Goals: to end extreme poverty and hunger.

The Guardian

The router sat on a chair in the hall, vintage 2002 technology with blinking green lights – a visual symbol of what was important to people and what was not: stumble around in the dark if you have to, but don't lose connection with the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

I never thought, slumped on a couch under a festive blanket of meat, that I'd stumble on an atheistically skewed sci-fi-horror allegory, but Doctor Who delivered.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Larry Page and Sergey Brin [the founders of Google] did not stumble randomly on the idea that they had a special obligation not to be evil.

The Guardian - Tech

The most a leader can hope is that his rivals stumble – and even then it may not make any difference.

The Guardian

The decision to focus on what's "on trend" at the time of conception can make a film seem embarrassingly dated when people finally get to see it, let alone when they stumble upon it years later.

The Guardian - Film

So while in Japan you can easily stumble across a remote-control tissue box or a battery-operated planetarium for your bathroom (by which I mean a waterproof Saturn-shaped orb that floats in the bath and projects the entire visible universe onto the ceiling), the sense of surrounding novelty has diminished.

The Guardian - Travel

Its twilight tour of the city, which is the "most extreme" it offers, invites you to "meet the freaks that come out at night" as you explore a sci-fi-style bunker used by hackers, stumble through ruined buildings and drop by squat houses and industrial complexes.

The Guardian - Travel

On their picaresque quest, they encounter eccentrics with classical epic parallels, escape the authorities several times, stumble into a Ku Klux Klan rally, win Everett his wife back and form a hit bluegrass band called the Soggy Bottom Boys.

The Guardian

Ed Miliband was seen to stumble off the stage slightly, which became a thing on Twitter and a gift for the rightwing press's metaphor-mongers … After weeks of griping about the alleged bias of the BBC's political audiences – from all parties, but especially from Nigel Farage – there was near-unanimous praise for last night's Question Time audience in Leeds.

The Guardian

He's frustrated by his inability to stumble in harmony with his bandmates, keyboard player John Maclean and drummer Robin Jones.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stumble" to describe a mistake, ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the error, whether it's a verbal misstep, a strategic blunder, or a simple oversight.

Common error

Avoid using "stumble" in a context where the intended meaning is ambiguous between a physical trip and a metaphorical mistake. Clarify the context to ensure the reader understands the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "stumble" functions primarily as a verb, describing the act of losing balance or making an error. As Ludwig AI validates, "stumble" correctly refers to mistakes from hesitation, failure to comprehend, or a sudden loss of balance. Ludwig examples show its use in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "stumble" is a versatile verb used to describe a loss of balance, a mistake, or an accidental encounter. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as in formal business writing. While "stumble" can be used both literally and figuratively, it's important to ensure clarity in context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "trip", "falter", and "slip up" offer nuanced variations for more precise communication. When crafting content, remember to avoid confusing physical and metaphorical uses of "stumble" and to be mindful of the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trip

Similar to "stumble" in the context of losing balance while walking.

falter

Implies a hesitation or wavering, either physically or metaphorically, like "stumble".

slip up

Focuses on making a mistake or error, akin to stumbling in a task.

bumble

Suggests clumsiness or awkwardness, similar to the physical aspect of "stumble".

err

Refers to making a mistake or going astray from what is correct, much like "stumble" can mean.

stagger

Conveys a loss of balance and unsteadiness, a more severe form of "stumble".

discover unexpectedly

Highlights the unplanned nature of finding something, relating to "stumble upon".

encounter by chance

Emphasizes the accidental nature of meeting or finding something, similar to stumbling upon it.

make a blunder

Highlights the mistake aspect of "stumble".

come across

Focuses on finding something accidentally.

FAQs

How can I use "stumble" in a sentence?

You can use "stumble" to describe a physical fall, as in "He "stumbled over a rock"", or to describe making a mistake, as in "I "stumbled over my words" during the presentation".

What can I say instead of "stumble"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "trip", "falter", "slip up", or "encounter by chance".

Which is correct, "stumble" or "falter"?

"Stumble" and "falter" are both correct but have slightly different meanings. "Stumble" often implies a physical loss of balance or a minor error, while "falter" suggests a hesitation or weakening. Use "stumble" for more physical or accidental mistakes, and use "falter" for more intentional or volitional hesitation.

What's the difference between "stumble" and "trip"?

"Stumble" suggests a momentary loss of balance, while "trip" implies a more abrupt loss of footing, often caused by an obstacle. You "might stumble" and recover, but when you "trip", you're more likely to fall.