What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
stumbling
Example
He was stumbling around the room, trying to find his balance. [stumbling: verb]
Example
I kept stumbling over my words during the presentation. [stumbling: gerund or present participle]
tripping
Example
She tripped on the uneven pavement and fell to the ground. [tripped: past tense]
Example
He was tripping on acid and seeing all sorts of strange things. [tripping: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tripping is less common than stumbling in everyday language, as it has more specific and limited contexts of use.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between stumbling and tripping?
Both stumbling and tripping are informal words and are not typically used in formal or academic writing.
