Ethan
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”?
Apr 11, 2020 11:54 AM
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.
April 11, 2020
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!
April 11, 2020
Answer below :)
April 11, 2020
Waiting for the answer too
April 11, 2020
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!