tumbling

USAGE SUMMARY

"tumbling" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of rolling or falling downwards in quick, repeated movements. For example, "The acrobats were tumbling across the stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Guardian

The Economist

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You can clearly see the speed and assurance of Schiele's execution, the uninhibited flow of the hand, denoting – in a few quick seconds of activity – tumbling curls of hair or crumpled fabric, or the fluid confluence of flank and hip and thigh.

The Guardian - Arts

Water surged past, rising from the ground and criss-crossing beneath the heather before tumbling into a nearby loch.

The Guardian - Travel

After notching up some impressive price rises, property values started tumbling in 2009 and have been falling ever since.

The Guardian - Money

"This is plated with 24-carat gold," says James Clelland, one eye closed against the storm front of cloud tumbling from the holes in his face.

The Guardian

He is confident rather than arrogant, blunt, and an excitable talker, tumbling over words in his North Yorkshire burr.

The Guardian - Music

The tumbling ruble and the drop in the price of oil have helped steer Kazakhstan's economy into a cul-de-sac, slowing growth projections, forcing officials to recalculate the budget, and suggesting the tenge is overvalued.

The Guardian

The baby is born – a mass of limp, tumbling limbs, he has no tone - and you cradle him gently, washing him and dressing him until his parents are ready to cuddle and touch him.

The Guardian

A combination of bad news from the latest data and the spread of the Ebola virus to Spain sent shares tumbling once more.

The Guardian - Business

60f066ce-9421-4d77-bf6c-bc021562c0b9 Book chains might be closing down and book sales tumbling, but the thriller powerhouse that is James Patterson just keeps on growing.

The Guardian - Books

The earth moves, and brings all the social structures tumbling down with it.

The Guardian - Film

Anecdotes to illustrate the point keep tumbling out, delivered with exuberant glee.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tumbling" to describe abstract concepts like prices or profits, consider the connotations of instability and potential chaos it brings to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "tumbling" when describing slow or gradual decreases. This word implies a rapid and often chaotic fall. Use alternatives like "decreasing steadily" or "gradually declining" for more accurate descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tumbling" is as a present participle or gerund, often describing an action in progress or serving as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Tumbling" is a versatile word used to describe a rapid, often chaotic descent or decline. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used, especially in News & Media. When using "tumbling", consider its connotations of instability and potential chaos; it is more effective in conveying rapid decreases or uncontrolled movements than gradual changes. While generally neutral in tone, it brings vivid imagery to your writing. Remember to choose alternatives like "plummeting" or "declining" when describing slower changes or when a less dramatic tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plunging

Similar to "plummeting", indicating a rapid and forceful descent.

plummeting

Indicates a steep and rapid fall, emphasizing speed and intensity.

collapsing

Suggests a sudden failure or loss of structure, often with a sense of finality.

declining sharply

Highlights a significant decrease in a measured or quantitative way.

spiraling downwards

Implies a continuous and worsening decline, often out of control.

dropping rapidly

Emphasizes the speed of the decrease, similar to "tumbling" but less dramatic.

falling drastically

Highlights the severity of the decrease, suggesting a large and impactful change.

nosediving

Draws a parallel to an aircraft rapidly descending, conveying a sense of crisis.

crashing

Suggests a sudden and forceful fall, often with destructive consequences.

sliding

Implies a smooth, often uncontrolled descent, lacking the chaotic energy of "tumbling".

FAQs

How can I use "tumbling" in a sentence?

You can use "tumbling" to describe something falling rapidly and chaotically, like "The rock was tumbling down the hill", or to describe a rapid decline, like "The company's profits were tumbling".

What's the difference between "tumbling" and "falling"?

"Tumbling" implies a more chaotic and uncontrolled fall than simply "falling". Something "tumbling" is likely rotating or moving erratically as it descends, while "falling" can be a straightforward, direct movement.

What can I say instead of "tumbling"?

You can use alternatives like "plummeting", "collapsing", or "declining sharply" depending on the specific context.

Is "tumbling" formal or informal?

The word "tumbling" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is often found in news articles and descriptive writing.