faltering
faltering — adjective
1. running out of strength or purpose so much that the activity is on the verge of
running out of strength or purpose so much that the activity is on the verge of stopping — typical of economies, careers, recoveries, or projects losing steam.
Quan tried to revive the faltering family bakery by offering new pastries every weekend.
attributive: faltering + business/organization noun
The faltering economy forced many small shops in Kwame's hometown to close their doors.
collocation: faltering economy
Doctors worried about Élise's faltering recovery after the second round of treatment.
Antonia's faltering career as a violinist forced her to take up teaching to pay the rent.
文法句型
faltering + noun
用法筆記
Subject is usually an abstract noun for an ongoing effort or system — economy, recovery, career, business, talks, leadership. Rarely used after 'be' for this sense.
常見錯誤
2. moving in a slow, shaky, or uncertain way, as if the person might lose balance o
moving in a slow, shaky, or uncertain way, as if the person might lose balance or stop at any moment — typical of someone who is weak, ill, or just learning.
Defne took her grandmother's arm to steady her faltering steps across the icy pavement.
collocation: faltering steps
The baby crossed the room on faltering legs and collapsed laughing into Gabriel's lap.
collocation: faltering legs / footsteps
With a faltering walk, the wounded soldier made his way back to the medical tent.
Eri reached out to help the old man whose faltering gait suggested he might fall.
文法句型
faltering + body-part / movement noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about physical movement (steps, gait, legs), while sense 1 is about abstract decline (career, economy). Almost always attributive.
3. spoken in a shaky, broken, or unsure way — usually because the speaker is nervou
spoken in a shaky, broken, or unsure way — usually because the speaker is nervous, upset, or unfamiliar with the language.
Sahil ordered coffee in faltering French during his first week studying in Lyon.
collocation: faltering [language]
Iris answered the judge's questions in a faltering voice that everyone in the courtroom strained to hear.
collocation: faltering voice
Emily gave a faltering speech at her father's funeral, pausing often to wipe her eyes.
With faltering words, Christopher tried to explain why he had missed the wedding rehearsal.
- halting
near-synonym; emphasizes frequent pauses
- hesitant
more general; covers any kind of uncertainty
- stammering
stronger; suggests repeating sounds involuntarily
文法句型
faltering + speech noun
用法筆記
Subject is usually a speech noun: voice, words, speech, English, French. Distinguish from sense 2 (physical movement) by checking what is faltering — speech or motion.
faltering — verb
1. to walk or move in a shaky, uneven way, as though about to lose balance and fall
to walk or move in a shaky, uneven way, as though about to lose balance and fall.
Sumin faltered on the last step of the stairs and grabbed the rail just in time.
intransitive: subject + falter
The exhausted runner faltered near the finish line but managed to cross it on his own feet.
After the long hike, João's legs began to falter and he had to sit down on a rock.
Luca faltered slightly as he carried the heavy box up the narrow staircase.
文法句型
subject + falter
falter + adverb of manner
用法筆記
Intransitive only. Typically about a person, animal, or body part (legs, feet, knees). Distinguish from sense 3: this is about visible physical wobbling, not loss of confidence.
常見錯誤
2. to speak with pauses or in a shaky way because of nerves, emotion, or uncertaint
to speak with pauses or in a shaky way because of nerves, emotion, or uncertainty about what to say.
Gabriel faltered when the lawyer asked him to describe what happened that night.
intransitive: speaker subject + falter
Antonia's voice faltered as she read the names of those lost in the fire.
collocation: voice falters
The witness faltered over the date and had to check her diary before answering.
Eri began bravely but faltered halfway through her wedding speech and started to cry.
- speak clearly
phrase opposite — without hesitation
文法句型
subject + falter
falter + before / over + noun
用法筆記
Intransitive. Subject is usually 'voice', or a person mid-speech. The trigger is usually emotion or uncertainty, not a physical speech impediment.
常見錯誤
3. to become less sure, less determined, or less effective — often when facing pres
to become less sure, less determined, or less effective — often when facing pressure, doubt, or difficulty.
Defne's resolve to quit smoking began to falter after a stressful week at the office.
collocation: resolve / determination falters
Quan's faith in the project did not falter even when funding ran out twice.
negative: did not falter
The team's performance began to falter in the second half of the season.
Sahil refused to falter in the face of his classmates' open mockery.
文法句型
subject + falter
falter + in the face of + noun
用法筆記
Intransitive. Subject is usually an abstract noun for resolve, faith, support, performance, or an organization. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about losing inner strength, not physical balance.
常見錯誤
faltering — noun
1. a brief moment of hesitation or unsteadiness, especially in someone's voice, ste
a brief moment of hesitation or unsteadiness, especially in someone's voice, steps, or determination.
Iris finished her speech without a faltering, even though her hands were shaking.
phrase: without a faltering
Emily noticed a slight faltering in her father's voice when he mentioned the old house.
collocation: a faltering in someone's voice
There was no faltering in Christopher's steps as he carried the trophy across the stage.
After a moment's faltering, Luca pressed the doorbell and waited for someone to answer.
- hesitation
much more common in everyday English
- wavering
stresses an unsteady, moving-back-and-forth quality
- pause
more neutral; does not imply uncertainty
- confidence
the opposite — full assurance without pause
- steadiness
firm continuation without break
文法句型
a faltering in/of + noun
without faltering
用法筆記
Rare in everyday speech — most contexts use the verb form or 'hesitation' instead. Frequently appears in literary or formal writing, often after 'without' or 'a slight'.