What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stumbling
Example
She was stumbling over the rocky terrain, trying to keep her balance. [stumbling: verb]
Example
I apologize for stumbling over my words during the presentation. [stumbling: gerund or present participle]
staggering
Example
He was staggering down the street after a night of heavy drinking. [staggering: verb]
Example
The company reported staggering losses for the quarter. [staggering: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Stumbling is more common than staggering in everyday language, as it can be used to describe a wider range of situations and difficulties. Staggering is more limited in its usage and is typically reserved for more extreme or severe situations or statistics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stumbling and staggering?
Staggering is generally considered more formal than stumbling, as it is often used in academic or professional contexts to describe surprising or shocking statistics or situations.
