What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
floundering
Example
The company is floundering due to poor management. [floundering: present participle]
Example
She was floundering in the water, unable to swim to shore. [floundering: verb]
faltering
Example
His voice was faltering as he spoke in front of the crowd. [faltering: present participle]
Example
The economy is faltering due to rising inflation. [faltering: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Faltering is more commonly used than floundering in everyday language. Faltering is a versatile word that can be used to describe a wide range of situations, while floundering is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between floundering and faltering?
Both floundering and faltering are relatively formal words that are not commonly used in casual conversation. However, faltering may be slightly more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.