What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mumbling
Example
He was mumbling something under his breath. [mumbling: verb]
Example
I couldn't understand what he was saying because he was mumbling. [mumbling: present participle]
rambling
Example
He went on a rambling monologue about his childhood. [rambling: adjective]
Example
She tends to ramble when she's nervous. [ramble: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mumbling and rambling are both commonly used words in everyday language, but mumbling is more frequently used to describe unclear speech, while rambling is more often used to describe speech that lacks coherence or structure.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mumbling and rambling?
Both mumbling and rambling are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts. However, rambling may be used in more formal settings to describe a speech or presentation that lacks structure or coherence.
