What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stumble
Example
I stumbled over the uneven pavement and almost fell. [stumbled: past tense]
Example
She stumbled through her speech, forgetting some of her lines. [stumbled: verb]
slip
Example
He slipped on the wet floor and fell. [slipped: past tense]
Example
I slipped up and forgot to send the email. [slipped: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Slip is more commonly used than stumble in everyday language. Slip is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while stumble is less common and refers to a specific type of physical movement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stumble and slip?
Both stumble and slip are relatively informal words, but slip can be used in more formal contexts due to its broader usage and versatility.
