Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner1]

Hello,

What is the difference in meaning between 'trip on' and 'trip over'? e.g.

He tripped over/on a cable and injured his foot.

Thanks a lot.

[wintersweet]

I think they're basically the same.
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wintersweet

http://www.readableblog.com/
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[learner1]

Hello wintersweet,

Many thanks to your help. According to your answer, do you mean they are interchangeable in every case?

Many thanks.

[CP]

I think this question came up once before.

To me, I would probably say I tripped on a sprinkler head but tripped over a chair. If I catch my toe on a sprinkler head and fall flat on my face on the grass, that's tripping on something. If I walk into a chair and fall over the chair and bump my head on the floor, causing everyone to laugh at me (hypothetically, you understand), that's tripping over something.

But mostly, you probably could use either expression interchangeably.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[wintersweet]

I think they're interchangeable except for some minor differences as CP said. *Maybe* I'm more likely to say "trip on" with something small and low and "trip over" with something bigger, but...essentially, I think they're the same.
_________________
wintersweet

http://www.readableblog.com/
* Free resources for English language learners *

[learner1]

Hello,

Thank you both CP and wintersweet very much for explanation.

According to CP's answer, would it be wrong to say 'trip over a sprinkler head' and 'trip on a chair'? I mean do they depend on what thing your feet hit or
does the difference have anything to do with the way you fall?

Thank you very much.

[CP]

[learner1]

Hello CP,

Many thanks to your kind help. I think I can tell the difference now.