What is the difference between “stammer”,“stutter”and “stumble”?
What is the difference between “stammer”,“stutter”and “stumble” in the sense of “having difficulty saying things”?
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 4
2
There is a technical difference between stuttering and stammering, but for practical purposes they are synonyms. In the U.S. we usually say "stuttering."
Stuttering and stammering are speech patterns where a person will often repeat the first consonant of a word or words, and have difficulty saying them. They may drag out words or letters, repeat them several times, and/or hesitate before saying the next word. An example would be:
T-t-t-t-today is Wednesday.
T----oday is Wednesday.
Today is um um um um Wednesday.
This is what it sounds like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw04IXYpQgQ&t=19s
Another example: She has a mild stutter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW5SKl_D85Q
To "stumble over your words" is when you're hesitating, pausing, using the wrong words, or sounding confused when you talk. Unlike stuttering, it typically only happens when someone is nervous, and doesn't usually occur very often.
Example:
I get so nervous when I talk to my boss, that I always stumble over my words.
1
I would say that 'stutter' describes when the flow of speech is interrupted, usually associated with speech problems, as with 'stammer', if somebody has a stammer, they may repeat a word or hesitate with words during sentences. Whilst 'stumble' is generally associated with something physical, like a fall - somebody might accidentally stumble/ or lose their balance, or you could 'stumble upon' something, which would mean to find information, which isn't falling over at all!
0
Answer below :)
0
Waiting for the answer too
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!
Start Learning Today
