What are the definitions of “stumble across”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Find something accidentally.
You'll never guess what I STUMBLED ACROSS when I was packing my stuff.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “stumble across”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb stumble across is to find something accidentally or unexpectedly. It often refers to discovering something surprising or interesting while doing something else.
What are the different verb forms of “stumble across”?
| Root Verb | stumble across |
| Third Person Singular Present | stumbles across |
| Present Participle | stumbling across |
| Simple Past | stumbled across |
| Past Participle | stumbled across |
Example
I stumbled across an old photo album while cleaning the attic.
Example
She often stumbles across interesting articles while browsing the internet.
Example
He is stumbling across new ideas for his project while researching.
Example
Yesterday, they stumbled across a hidden treasure in the forest.
Example
The hikers had stumbled across an abandoned cabin in the woods.
What kind of phrasal verb is “stumble across”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“stumble across” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
I stumbled across an old letter from my grandmother.
Example
She stumbled across a rare book at the flea market.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“stumble across” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
I stumbled across an old letter from my grandmother.
Example
She stumbled across a rare book at the flea market.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “stumble across”?
Good things to know
Does “stumble across” have an informal or formal tone?
Stumble across is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal writing or presentations, depending on the specific context.
