Meaning & use
verbal stumbles
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Meanings
nounplural
Small mistakes in speech, such as saying a wrong word, hesitating, or repeating a sound.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun; the singular 'a verbal stumble' refers to one such slip.
Patterns
- have verbal stumbles
- a few verbal stumbles
- verbal stumbles in a speech
Even confident speakers have verbal stumbles when they are nervous.
The interviewer noted several verbal stumbles but understood every answer.
Her verbal stumbles disappeared once she knew the topic well.
nounplural
Awkward spoken errors that briefly interrupt the flow of someone's speech.
Grammar: Often used with words like 'minor' or 'occasional' to show they are not serious.
Patterns
- minor verbal stumbles
- occasional verbal stumbles
- smooth out verbal stumbles
The coach helped him smooth out his verbal stumbles before the debate.
Minor verbal stumbles are normal in a second language.
Listeners usually forget verbal stumbles if the message is clear.
Common combinations
- minor verbal stumbles
- The teacher ignored the minor verbal stumbles and focused on his ideas.
- have verbal stumbles
- Almost everyone has verbal stumbles when speaking in public.
- verbal stumbles in a presentation
- She practiced daily to reduce verbal stumbles in her presentation.
- smooth out verbal stumbles
- Reading aloud can smooth out verbal stumbles over time.
Synonyms and how they differ
- slips of the tongue
- This is the more common everyday phrase for accidentally saying the wrong word, while 'verbal stumbles' also covers hesitations and repeats.
- speech errors
- A more technical term used in linguistics; 'verbal stumbles' sounds more informal and descriptive.
Opposites
Word family
- stumble verb
- to make a mistake or almost fall while moving or speaking
- stumbling adjective
- hesitating or making repeated small errors, as in 'stumbling speech'
Commonly confused: verbal stumbles or verbal stumbles vs. mumbling?
verbal stumbles vs verbal stumbles vs. mumbling
'Mumbling' means speaking unclearly and quietly, while 'verbal stumbles' are specific small mistakes or hesitations, not unclear volume.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'verbal stumbles' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Verbal stumbles' are small mistakes in speech, so they happen while someone is speaking. The other options use the phrase with actions or things it cannot describe.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “verbal stumbles”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.