154 Differences between fall, fall down, fall over, fall out, fall into, fall behind
Have you ever got confused when trying to talk about having a fall?
Fall is a verb and a noun, which can sometimes be confusing.
This coupled with the fact that when we add prepositions after the verb fall, then this also changes the meaning.
Having this in mind, I decided to put together an episode to help you, where I explain the difference between fall, fall down, fall over, fall out, fall into and fall behind.
Send me your questions or comments
Watch the episode here
Phrases with the word 'fall'
Fall
Meaning: to suddenly go down from an upright position onto the ground or towards the ground without intending to or by accident.
Example: Athletes have to learn how to fall without hurting themselves.
Fall down
Meaning: to fall to the ground.
Example: Babies often fall down when they learn to walk.
In autumn the leaves fall down from the trees.
Fall over
Meaning: used when someone, or something, is tripping and falling, usually to the ground.
Example: If you make the cake too high, it'll fall over.
I wasn’t looking where I was going and I fell over a fountain.
Fall out
Meaning: used when the original preposition was in.
Example: You close the car door so that you don’t fall out.
(Original position: in the car)
Fall off
Meaning: used when the original preposition was on.
Example: Mark fell off the horse and injured his leg.
(Mark’s original position: on the horse)
Fall into
Meaning: enter something without having planned it.
Example: She lost her balance and fell into a hole in the pavement.
I fell into conversation with the baker this morning.
Fall behind
Meaning: not keeping up with the progress.
Example: You’re falling behind with the rent.
I fell behind my classwork after I was off school for two weeks.
Final thoughts
Now you know how to use “fall” correctly, which is sure to make you sound more native.
Remember, if you use it incorrectly people will still understand you, however it will sound wrong.
Don’t forget that my General English courses will teach you grammar, and you will have lots of opportunities to practice.
Why not enroll in one now and start learning the basics of the English language.
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Don’t miss more free episodes of The Art of Business English next week.
Till then, take care.
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Andrew Ambrosius
Hi,
For the verb “fall down,” you used the following example:
In autumn the leaves fall down from the trees.
But according to the Cambridge dictionary:
“Warning:
We use fall, not fall down, when trees drop their leaves during the autumn:
As autumn came and the leaves fell from the trees, she began to feel sad.
Not: … the leaves fell down …”
Source: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/fall-or-fall-down
Am I wrong?
Hi Mohammad, thanks for your comment. I think it is right to say “the leaves fall from the tree.” and wrong to say “fall down from”. With that being said, there is a childhood song called “The autumn leaves are falling down.” You can also say the “leaves are falling down on the ground.” So to help clarify my error in the episode, the issue comes when we use the preposition “from” after “falling down from the trees”. For example, someone can “fall from a great height”, but they can’t “fall down from a great height”. I hope that helps clarify your question and I am sorry for my mistake.
Thanks so much.